Prosecution department letter

[gwenfs]

Hi all, I've read through many of the same threads but just thought I'd post my own.
I got a letter from the prosecution department.
The highlighted part of the letter was "Did travel on a railway without having previously paid the fare with intent to avoid payment thereof."
I am now constructing a grovelling and regretful email apologising for what happened, as the last thing I want is a criminal conviction.
I was just wondering the likely hood of getting out of this with just a payment? I've seen many advice threads but none about what happened after. Do the grovelling emails work? And if so, what is the approx payment I would have to pay to get this out of going to court?
Any help at all appreciated, thanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2025 ==

Also, within the email, I explain that I told the officer the wrong station I got on at. I told him East Croydon even though it was further away that I actually got on the train. I explain all this in the email about how I wasn't thinking etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jun 2025 ==

I also intend to write a handwritten letter and put it in the letter I need to send back to them. (As they put on the back of the letter what details I need to send back to them). Is this a good idea?

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us a redacted copy of the letter please? This will help the pros to advise you.

 

[gwenfs]

.

 

[KirkstallOne]

We really need more details on what the original incident was to set expectations here. You got on and then later lied about where you got on? Did you have a ticket?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I also intend to write a handwritten letter and put it in the letter I need to send back to them. (As they put on the back of the letter what details I need to send back to them). Is this a good idea?

There's probably no benefit to doing this. For sure, there's an argument that handwritten gives the personal touch, and emphasises your sincerity - but unless you have the world's most legible handwriting, the case handler will struggle to understand what you are trying to tell them.

Our general advice these days amounts to sending an email when an address is given (and in this case, I see there is one): if you send a paper letter then type (word process) it, making sure that all the references are on your letter. If the letter you received asks for a reply on the back, just write 'please see enclosed attachment '.