Prosecution Letter

[sds2021]

Hi guys,

Long story short, I’ve recently changed jobs about a month ago and have been paying 700 pounds commute. If I have to be honest money’s been tight, I’m a graduate and I wasn’t able to pay for my train ticket today. I simply just didn’t have the money I needed. Instead of buying a train ticket, I tapped into my station and tapped out of Paddington.

For my commute home, there was no barriers from London so I hopped on the train and to be honest ended up short fairing because I couldn’t bring myself to pay another x amount. Now thinking back getting myself into this mess I was better off paying the train ticket.

I was caught by and inspector because the ticket I purchased, the train times were not right.

I didn’t disclose I was coming from Paddington and still insisted a traveled from x to my local station which was a 5 min journey. The train ticket I purchased to get in for was to get in for x:34 but I attempted to tap out at x:24. The train before came in for X:16…

I read that I shouldn’t be “admitting to my crimes” and also that they may ask for a statement, so what’s the best way to navigate this?

I am now waiting for this letter to come but I am moving to a new address soon. What should I be expecting and should I be worried as I am seeing online of how people are getting fined crazy amounts.

This was an honest mistake that I deeply regretted and I’ve been crying my eyes out over it.

 

[antharro]

Assuming you'#re dealing with GWR then there's a very good chance you'll be able to sort this out of court. They will send you a fairly threatening sounding letter in which you will be invited to share your side of events. This will be your opportunity to own up and apologise. Assuming you cooperate with them, they will likely offer you an out of court settlement, usually the price of the Anytime single fare for your journey, plus an admin fee of around £150. Pay that and that'll be the end of it. But don't do it again, because you are now on their radar and they will be less likely to offer you a settlement in the future.

Your immediate next step is to wait for their letter to arrive. This can take a few months (no longer than six). Once you have it, post it up here with any personal details and case reference number redacted, and you'll receive good advice on your next step.

 

[sds2021]

Assuming you'#re dealing with GWR then there's a very good chance you'll be able to sort this out of court. They will send you a fairly threatening sounding letter in which you will be invited to share your side of events. This will be your opportunity to own up and apologise. Assuming you cooperate with them, they will likely offer you an out of court settlement, usually the price of the Anytime single fare for your journey, plus an admin fee of around £150. Pay that and that'll be the end of it. But don't do it again, because you are now on their radar and they will be less likely to offer you a settlement in the future.

Your immediate next step is to wait for their letter to arrive. This can take a few months (no longer than six). Once you have it, post it up here with any personal details and case reference number redacted, and you'll receive good advice on your next step.

Thank you for your message really means a lot. When you say own up and apologise, what should I be owning up to? The advice I’ve seen and been given just by good old chat gpt is to not mention anything about Paddington and just apologise and not even mention and extra detail or what I intended to do… would like to know your thoughts on this

 

[antharro]

What you write will depend on what they say to you first, which is why we need to see the letter. You can't answer an accusation unless you know what the accusation is first.

So for now, sit tight and try to put it out of your mind. They'll get in touch when they get in touch, and you can start dealing with it then.

 

[Acathater]

But when the letter arrives don't reply to them until you've posted it here (anonymised) and received further advice

 

[SECR 65]

Thank you for your message really means a lot. When you say own up and apologise, what should I be owning up to?

I would suggest, inform them of the real journey you travelled on the day you were caught. When we talk about not incriminating yourself etc, we mean don't mention any previous instances of fare evasion, if, say, you have a history of short faring.

The advice I’ve seen and been given just by good old chat gpt

I would urge a degree of caution when asking AI for legal advice. In honesty you're probably best of asking us here. Similarly, I wouldn't recommend Reddit.

is to not mention anything about Paddington and just apologise and not even mention and extra detail or what I intended to do… would like to know your thoughts on this

I would suggest you tell them your full journey on the day you were stopped. They may know where you started your journey, from tap data on barriers, CCCTV etc.

 

[Haywain]

I would suggest, inform them of the real journey you travelled on the day you were caught.

I would suggest you tell them your full journey on the day you were stopped.

I refer you to post #4.

 

[spotify95]

Hi guys,

Long story short, I’ve recently changed jobs about a month ago and have been paying 700 pounds commute. If I have to be honest money’s been tight, I’m a graduate and I wasn’t able to pay for my train ticket today. I simply just didn’t have the money I needed. Instead of buying a train ticket, I tapped into my station and tapped out of Paddington.

For my commute home, there was no barriers from London so I hopped on the train and to be honest ended up short fairing because I couldn’t bring myself to pay another x amount. Now thinking back getting myself into this mess I was better off paying the train ticket.

I was caught by and inspector because the ticket I purchased, the train times were not right.

I didn’t disclose I was coming from Paddington and still insisted a traveled from x to my local station which was a 5 min journey. The train ticket I purchased to get in for was to get in for x:34 but I attempted to tap out at x:24. The train before came in for X:16…

I read that I shouldn’t be “admitting to my crimes” and also that they may ask for a statement, so what’s the best way to navigate this?

I am now waiting for this letter to come but I am moving to a new address soon. What should I be expecting and should I be worried as I am seeing online of how people are getting fined crazy amounts.

This was an honest mistake that I deeply regretted and I’ve been crying my eyes out over it.

Just to add, if you're moving to a new address and you gave GWR your old address, you may wish to set up a postal redirect (via Royal Mail) so that any post from your old address is successfully delivered to your new address. You need to receive the letter that the ToC (GWR?) will send you.

It might also be worth considering asking GWR if they can send you electronic letters via email - and at the very least, definitely send them an email with your new address when you move. (You will need to email their prosecutions department, not general customer services.)