Notice of intention to prosecute

[superspare2023]

Hi all,

I imagine you probably get these types of posts pretty often so apologies… I’m trying to find the best way to reach a decent outcome to a threat of prosecution:

I was travelling from Three Bridges to London Bridge without a ticket, planning to just buy one if I saw an inspector come on board. One did appear at East Croydon and so I quickly bought a ticket through trainline from East Croydon to London Bridge. Obviously I was found out since the inspector saw that I had already been on the train. I was made to confess and stupidly said I’d come from Gatwick Airport which is a tad closer (and therefore felt less aggravating). I’ve just received the standard letter from GTR asking me to explain my case.

The other thing is that this isn’t the first time I’ve short-ticketed (around 24 times in the past year. The main reason is that I’ve just graduated and moved back to Horsham (my home station is Littlehaven) whilst working as a freelancer in the music industry and trying to spend as little as possible, not the brightest way of saving I know). It was the last time though and I’ve obviously learnt my lesson and now am doing things completely legally. Nevertheless, the previous occasions will inevitably show on my purchase record.

All I want is not to get a criminal record as I regularly need to show organisations my enhanced DBS check. I don’t care if the fine is astronomical as long as I can put this behind me.

Here’s my draft reply, any feedback would be most welcome- I’m opting for full honesty but tell me if it’s too much/too self-incriminating/too cringey. Thank you all so much in advance for your help.

“Dear Sir/Madam,

I hope this letter finds you well and I would like to express my gratitude at being given the opportunity to respond to your previous correspondence.

I would like to apologise for the incident that happened on the 30th of December. With the barriers at Three Bridges being open due to disruption, I very foolishly thought that this would be a good opportunity to avoid paying the fare and get a cheap trip to London. When I was then stopped by a Revenue Protection officer at East Croydon, I unfortunately panicked and bought a ticket from East Croydon online instead of owning up and, when this was obviously found out by the inspector, lied about having come through the gates at Gatwick Airport instead. Aside from not having bought a ticket in the first place, it was completely irresponsible to not tell the truth and I’m deeply sorry that I chose that route.

I have since then reflected on how unfair and disrespectful my behaviour was that day. As you said in your letter, “it is only fair that everyone pays the right fare” and I have made sure to always have a valid ticket for my journeys since then.

I am very keen to settle this matter outside of court- a criminal record would be a disaster for me as someone whose job requires having a clean Enhanced DBS, although I understand that it is entirely within your right to proceed with prosecution. As well as repaying any damages I have inflicted on GTR plus administrative costs, I am very happy to provide you with any assistance you may need for your investigation.

Please accept my full apologies once again.

Kind regards,

XX”

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Mar 2025 ==

Also, I'm planning on having a handwritten copy if this message + a typed up version in my reply. Thanks again.

 

[alholmes]

There’s a whiff of AI being used in your draft. We recommend not using AI as it can come across as false and insincere.

I hope this letter finds you well and I would like to express my gratitude at being given the opportunity to respond to your previous correspondence.

Or you could just say “Thank you for your letter of 12th March 2025.” Do you seriously care about whether the person reading your letter is well?

I have since then reflected on how unfair and disrespectful my behaviour was that day.

You need a period of reflection to realise that? Really?

Also, I'm planning on having a handwritten copy if this message + a typed up version in my reply.

Drop the handwritten copy. Typed is fine.

 

[superspare2023]

Thanks. No AI used, just my writing style.
The reflection in question was more me repeatedly facepalming for having been so reckless.
Anyway, here's a second draft.

"Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your letter from the 12th of March.

I’m writing to apologise for the incident that happened on the 30th of December. With the barriers at Three Bridges being open due to disruption, I very foolishly thought that this would be a good opportunity to avoid paying the fare and get a cheap trip to London. When I was then stopped by a Revenue Protection officer at East Croydon, I unfortunately panicked and bought a ticket from East Croydon online instead of owning up and, when this was obviously found out by the inspector, lied about having come through the gates at Gatwick Airport instead. Aside from not having bought a ticket in the first place, it was completely irresponsible to not tell the truth and I’m deeply sorry that I chose that route.

My behaviour that day was unfair and disrespectful. As you said in your letter, “it is only fair that everyone pays the right fare” and I have made sure to always have a valid ticket for my journeys since then.

I am very keen to settle this matter outside of court- a criminal record would be a disaster for me as someone whose job requires having a clean Enhanced DBS, although I understand that it is entirely within your right to proceed with prosecution. As well as repaying any damages I have inflicted on GTR plus administrative costs, I am very happy to provide you with any assistance you may need for your investigation.

Please accept my full apologies once again.

Kind regards,

XX"

 

[alholmes]

That’s better, covers the main points. Might be worth just waiting 24 hours for any other comments before sending.

 

[Hadders]

The second draft looks fine to me. Please do let us know how the case outcome.

 

[superspare2023]

Hi all,

The next letter, this time from the Fraud Investigations Department, has predictably arrived. I've checked out other standard responses, let me know if this is suitable or if it's too light on the apologising or any other issues. Thanks again for your time in looking into this.

"Dear X

Thank you for getting in touch.

I’m ashamed to say that your assessment is correct and that I’ve evaded fares multiple times in the past. I’ve compiled a list of instances where I believe I’ve committed fraudulent travel based on my diary in the last year (24 journeys before the day I was caught at East Croydon). I hope this can assist you in your investigation.

As I mentioned in previous correspondence, I’d be very keen to settle this matter out of court as a criminal record would be a disaster for my career and so I would be happy to pay whatever fee you think is fair. I regret my immature and disrespectful actions and hope that my record of travel since the 30th of December shows that I have learnt my lesson and now take this issue seriously.

Kind regards,

XX"

Copy of the letter from Govia:

Dear XX
Please DO NOT Ignore This Letter
I am contacting you in relation to the statement you gave to a Revenue Officer on 30 December
2024 at EAST CROYDON station.
You were found not to be in possession of a valid rail ticket for your journey between GATWICK
AIRPORT & LONDON BRIDGE and were subsequently interviewed under caution. An
investigation undertaken by GTR’s Fraud Department has established that you avoided rail fares
on multiple dates.
Travel Fraud costs the rail industry over £240 million per year and Govia Thameslink
Railway has a zero-tolerance approach to fare evasion on our network. We always ask the
courts to impose the maximum penalty for offenders, which can include the following:
- A Criminal Record
- Fine of up to £1000
- Prison Sentence
- Suspended Sentence
- Community Service
- Compensation
- Costs
I would like to discuss the matter further with you and would therefore request that you respond
to this letter within 7 days using the email address above. Failure to respond to this letter will
result in your case being referred to the Prosecutions Department.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi all,

The next letter, this time from the Fraud Investigations Department, has predictably arrived. I've checked out other standard responses, let me know if this is suitable or if it's too light on the apologising or any other issues. Thanks again for your time in looking into this.

"Dear X

Thank you for getting in touch.

I’m ashamed to say that your assessment is correct and that I’ve evaded fares multiple times in the past. I’ve compiled a list of instances where I believe I’ve committed fraudulent travel based on my diary in the last year (24 journeys before the day I was caught at East Croydon). I hope this can assist you in your investigation.

As I mentioned in previous correspondence, I’d be very keen to settle this matter out of court as a criminal record would be a disaster for my career and so I would be happy to pay whatever fee you think is fair. I regret my immature and disrespectful actions and hope that my record of travel since the 30th of December shows that I have learnt my lesson and now take this issue seriously.

Kind regards,

XX"

Copy of the letter from Govia:

Dear XX
Please DO NOT Ignore This Letter
I am contacting you in relation to the statement you gave to a Revenue Officer on 30 December
2024 at EAST CROYDON station.
You were found not to be in possession of a valid rail ticket for your journey between GATWICK
AIRPORT & LONDON BRIDGE and were subsequently interviewed under caution. An
investigation undertaken by GTR’s Fraud Department has established that you avoided rail fares
on multiple dates.
Travel Fraud costs the rail industry over £240 million per year and Govia Thameslink
Railway has a zero-tolerance approach to fare evasion on our network. We always ask the
courts to impose the maximum penalty for offenders, which can include the following:
- A Criminal Record
- Fine of up to £1000
- Prison Sentence
- Suspended Sentence
- Community Service
- Compensation
- Costs
I would like to discuss the matter further with you and would therefore request that you respond
to this letter within 7 days using the email address above. Failure to respond to this letter will
result in your case being referred to the Prosecutions Department.

See this thread from post #34. Might help you move it forward as v similar situation to your recent stage.

prosecution from govia thameslink

Quick question. I didn’t think you could send these responses to thameslink by e mail and they request postal hard copy. But does the letter you gave had say an e mail reply is acceptable? Just in case you need to check that. I got an email saying I should send it via email, but does this mean...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[superspare2023]

Hi Western Lancer. Thanks so much for your reply. I've overhauled my first draft, let me know if there are still issues. Should I also leave it at "I evaded fares z number of times between x and y" or should I also include a list of dates? Thanks again

"Dear Fare Evasion Manager

Thank you for getting in touch.

I just wanted to start off by sincerely apologising for my actions and I fully acknowledge how seriously my fare evasion, and fare evasion in general, impacts the railway. As I mentioned in my previous letter, I am deeply regretful towards my previous lack of judgement which was incredibly immature and disrespectful.

As well as having corrected my behaviour since being caught at East Croydon, I’ve also looked through my own available online records and I’m ashamed to say that I found another 24 journeys since May last year which I believe included fare evasion. I would be happy to check these against your own records to ensure the figure is accurate.

I’ve made sure to always pay for the correct ticket since then- a fact which should be supported by my online purchase history- and will continue to do so. I have absolutely learnt my lesson and would be very grateful to have the opportunity to settle this matter out of court, pay back any lost revenue as well as administrative costs, and assist your investigation to the best of my ability.

Kind regards,

XX"

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi Western Lancer. Thanks so much for your reply. I've overhauled my first draft, let me know if there are still issues. Should I also leave it at "I evaded fares z number of times between x and y" or should I also include a list of dates? Thanks again

"Dear Fare Evasion Manager

Thank you for getting in touch.

I just wanted to start off by sincerely apologising for my actions and I fully acknowledge how seriously my fare evasion, and fare evasion in general, impacts the railway. As I mentioned in my previous letter, I am deeply regretful towards my previous lack of judgement which was incredibly immature and disrespectful.

As well as having corrected my behaviour since being caught at East Croydon, I’ve also looked through my own available online records and I’m ashamed to say that I found another 24 journeys since May last year which I believe included fare evasion. I would be happy to check these against your own records to ensure the figure is accurate.

I’ve made sure to always pay for the correct ticket since then- a fact which should be supported by my online purchase history- and will continue to do so. I have absolutely learnt my lesson and would be very grateful to have the opportunity to settle this matter out of court, pay back any lost revenue as well as administrative costs, and assist your investigation to the best of my ability.

Kind regards,

XX"

My hunch is to let them provide a list (or even ask them to do so as per the other thread) and say you believe

"I evaded fares z number of times between x and y"

which I pretty much what you have said in the wording "24 journeys since May last year"

Basically - as with the other case - they are looking to know that you clearly accept evasion on a number of occasion and that you will pay back the fares you owe - as you can see with the other case they then came back with the settlement offer to resolve the whole thing within the day - and I assume that is where you want to get to as well

So others may have different views but I think you could probably send your draft and see what they come back with