Notice of intention to prosecute - Urgent Help Needed!

[Bean1234]

Hiya,
I was wondering if someone could proof read my letter in response to this notice for me before I send it off. I am also slightly confused as to how I go about my situation.
To keep it brief, I was travelling to London from Baldock on a Thames Link Service. I did not get a ticket at baldock, but one further down the line to which an inspector scanned. As it had been purchased a minute or two before it was scanned, they questioned me and said they didn't believe I had got on at that stop etc.
Being an idiot, I doubled down on my lie and said that was where I got on etc. They took my details, said they would be in contact in due course, Now I have the letter.
I have done a lot of reading on this forum for constructing a letter, just wondering if someone would mind taking a look, and let me know if I have gone about explaining the situation the right way in the letter.

 

[Hadders]

This looks fine to me. I’d give it a day or so in case anyone else has any amendments.

Please do let us know how you get on.

 

[Bean1234]

@Hadders Thanks for the quick response, appreciate that a lot.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2024 ==

@Hadders as I initially lied, do you think they will want to settle matters in court? I am really worried about doing something like that

 

[Hadders]

GTR almost always settle without going to court. I’d be surprised if you weren’t offered a settlement.

 

[John R]

They are very well used to people lying when caught. Out experience is that if you are honest, contrite and cooperative in response to their letter then a settlement offer is usually forthcoming.

 

[Bean1234]

Just to update my previous messages, the offered me an out of court settlement! So for anyone with a similar situation, just accept the mistake, say you're sorry and move on. Thanks for all the help above guys. Appreciate it a lot.

 

[John R]

Thank you very much for the update, and I am glad that it is all resolved. Would you be willing to share the amount requested in settlement, and how this was broken down between fare and admin costs).

 

[Bean1234]

Can do, it was much less than I expected at £65. There were no break down of the fees on the letter.

 

[John R]

Can do, it was much less than I expected at £65. There were no break down of the fees on the letter.

Thanks. That is a very good result under the circumstances.

 

[Bean1234]

Perhaps as I was a first offender the punishment was a bit lighter? Also, the difference in price between the tickets was around £10 (I got on at baldock but bought a ticket from potters bar, which I actually did buy). Would any of that have some implication?

 

[John R]

Perhaps as I was a first offender the punishment was a bit lighter? Also, the difference in price between the tickets was around £10 (I got on at baldock but bought a ticket from potters bar, which I actually did buy). Would any of that have some implication?

GTR do seem more reasonable than other companies in that their admin fees for simple offences appear to be lower, at around £50. (Others typically charge around£150.) And also they sometimes allow credit for the fare actually paid. I suspect those are the main reasons.