Prosecution Letter Reply! Help Needed!

[train123]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can offer advice as I'm quite concerned about a recent situation.


On 2nd May 2025, my sister and I were travelling from Brighton with plans to stop at Preston Park to meet our brother and drop off some keys before continuing to Farringdon on the Thameslink service which we would of brought another ticket for. In our rush that morning, we boarded the train without realising it was a non-stop service that wouldn't call at Preston Park.

When we saw the ticket inspectors approaching, we immediately realised our mistake and quickly purchased tickets to Farringdon on the spot. However, the inspectors explained that these weren't valid as they had been bought after we'd already boarded without the correct tickets initially.

While one inspector was prepared to issue an immediate penalty, the other took our details and informed us we would receive correspondence within a month. We have now both received letters requesting our account of events within 14 days.

This was genuinely an honest mistake during what was already a hectic morning, and we're both deeply apologetic about the situation. We would very much prefer to resolve this through an out-of-court settlement if possible.

Has anyone experienced something similar or can offer guidance on how best to respond to demonstrate our good faith and genuine remorse?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[AlterEgo]

Don't waste their time or ours with that explanation. It is classic short faring to get through the barriers compounded by the destination being Farringdon, somewhere you can enter the contactless part of the TfL network without any paper ticket. Much easier to just admit to that without spinning them tales. They see this thousands of times a year.

 

[furlong]

When we saw the ticket inspectors approaching, we immediately realised our mistake and quickly purchased tickets to Farringdon on the spot.

Was this before or after the train passed through Preston Park station?

To have any chance of making an argument like this (and it wouldn't necessarily be accepted), I think the purchase of the new tickets (origin Brighton) must have been completed before the train passed through that station.

 

[train123]

Was this before or after the train passed through Preston Park station?

To have any chance of making an argument like this (and it wouldn't necessarily be accepted), I think the purchase of the new tickets (origin Brighton) must have been completed before the train passed through that station.

Hi,

This was passing Preston as it didn’t stop and entering the next stop. It was our mistake and I totally put my hands up! I just want this matter out of court settlement and willing to pay any fines.

Thank you

 

[RPI]

Don't waste their time or ours with that explanation. It is classic short faring to get through the barriers compounded by the destination being Farringdon, somewhere you can enter the contactless part of the TfL network without any paper ticket. Much easier to just admit to that without spinning them tales. They see this thousands of times a year.

Great minds think alike.

What I'll say is that what is quoted is a highly unlikely scenario, not impossible, but very, very unlikely.

I'd advise replying honestly with what happened and seek an out of court settlement.

 

[Haywain]

Hi,

This was passing Preston as it didn’t stop and entering the next stop. It was our mistake and I totally put my hands up! I just want this matter out of court settlement and willing to pay any fines.

Thank you

So, you obviously got off the train at the first opportunity and returned to Preston Park, didn't you?