Please help for the prosecution letter

[kiwi]

Dear all

Please help me, I really don't want any crime record.
Yesterday I received a letter from southeastern rail, the letter is asking me to provider my details to confirm I live at that address and also saying "the matter will be proceeded for a prosecution.

The thing is:
I moved to A area (London zone 5) in the biggning of May, it's my first time to live outside London and my first time to use season ticket. I purchased a monthly train ticket at B area (two stops away from A area), at that time I thought A and B are in the same zone, no matter which station to buy ticket. In fact B area is Zone 4. Therefore I used 1-4 monthly train ticket to travel zone 5.

I was stopped by inspector at A area rail station and prosecuted for intent to avoid payment...

I just moved to the new area and was not aware that Area A and B are in different zone.

I am willing to pay the penalty and other related cost to avoid the crime record.

Please help me. Thanks in advance

 

[telstarbox]

Was it a paper ticket or Oyster?

 

[kiwi]

Was it a paper ticket or Oyster?

It's paper ticket

 

[najaB]

I moved to A area (London zone 5) in the biggning of May, it's my first time to live outside London and my first time to use season ticket. I purchased a monthly train ticket at B area (two stops away from A area), at that time I thought A and B are in the same zone, no matter which station to buy ticket. In fact B area is Zone 4. Therefore I used 1-4 monthly train ticket to travel zone 5.

When you bought your ticket, did you ask for a season from the station, or did you ask for a zones 1 to 4 ticket specifically?

 

[Clip]

It's paper ticket

With this in mind I think you need to be clear to us and tells us which stations are involved. I take it the station in Zone 5 is unbarriered which is why you have a paper ticket,yes?

 

[Greenback]

It looks as if the OP didn't buy the ticket in zone 5. Clarification on what was asked for, and where, would be very useful.

 

[Clip]

Indeed it would. This being southeastern Im suspecting what I wrote above on the metro route and may have been done for some time to save a few quid.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

It looks as if the OP didn't buy the ticket in zone 5. Clarification on what was asked for, and where, would be very useful.

Yes, I get that the OP has a season ticket that covers Z1 - 4 but he travelled beyond that two stops down the line which took him to Z5.

To Kiwi: I don't think ignorance is a defence. If you are new to the area, then it is your responsibility to find out what station is in what zone (even by looking at posters on the station) and to buy a ticket before boarding the train.

Did you intend to go to the ticket office and pay an excess (if such a facility exists) or did you genuinely think that the station you got off at was in the same zone as covered by your season ticket?

Were you offered a Penalty Fare by the ticket inspector (and/or refused to pay it)?

It would help if you told the forum what station you encountered the inspector and what station you usually board

 

[Greenback]

I doubt that Southeastern would feel that ignorance of the correct zones is a valid defence. If the TOC feels that there was intent to avoid the correct fare for the journeys being made, and it looks like they do, then all I can advise is for the OP to offer a sizeable settlement and hope that it's accepted, so that prosecution can be avoided completely.

My assessment is based on the rather scant information presented here, and is subject to change. Speaking of scant information, it's not clear how long the OP has been using a monthly zones 1-4 ticket to travel to zone 5.

 

[talldave]

I doubt that Southeastern would feel that ignorance of the correct zones is a valid defence. If the TOC feels that there was intent to avoid the correct fare for the journeys being made, and it looks like they do, then all I can advise is for the OP to offer a sizeable settlement and hope that it's accepted, so that prosecution can be avoided completely.

My assessment is based on the rather scant information presented here, and is subject to change. Speaking of scant information, it's not clear how long the OP has been using a monthly zones 1-4 ticket to travel to zone 5.

Since the biginning [] of May, I think?

 

[Greenback]

Since the biginning [] of May, I think?

However long it is, it will have a bearing on the decision as to whether to prosecute, and on the amount of settlement that may be accepted if they are willing to settle matters without the involvement of a court of law.

 

[Clip]

However long it is, it will have a bearing on the decision as to whether to prosecute, and on the amount of settlement that may be accepted if they are willing to settle matters without the involvement of a court of law.

Says it in the OP so that's about 70 days give or take a couple which is quite nice.