Prosecution notice from Southeastern

[Neyooman]

Hello everyone am new here and I really need some advise,so sorry for what I did and I really want to make amends,I got caught on southeastern rail in London Victoria with a short ticket(e-ticket I bought online) which I bought on approaching the station,when I got to the barrier and my e-ticket was scanned the rail officer noticed I did not scan my ticket from the beginning of my journey he then pass me Straight to another rail office who cautioned me and start recording and asking me about my journey,I was very straight with her and I told her I was travelling from Rainham(kent),so yesterday 16/09/25 I got a letter in the post which I have attached,also if my purchase history is checked this will not be the only journey with a short ticket,Sometimes in 2018/2019 I have also received a prosecutions notice same like this one I attached which I did reply to but I never had from southeastern again the only think I could think of is that back then I did not have a National insurance number maybe that’s why they did not get back in-touch but now I do have one,please everyone am desperate to settle this out of court,do you think i need a lawyer,kindly advise,thanks

 

[WesternLancer]

Hello everyone am new here and I really need some advise,so sorry for what I did and I really want to make amends,I got caught on southeastern rail in London Victoria with a short ticket(e-ticket I bought online) which I bought on approaching the station,when I got to the barrier and my e-ticket was scanned the rail officer noticed I did not scan my ticket from the beginning of my journey he then pass me Straight to another rail office who cautioned me and start recording and asking me about my journey,I was very straight with her and I told her I was travelling from Rainham(kent),so yesterday 16/09/25 I got a letter in the post which I have attached,also if my purchase history is checked this will not be the only journey with a short ticket,Sometimes in 2018/2019 I have also received a prosecutions notice same like this one I attached which I did reply to but I never had from southeastern again the only think I could think of is that back then I did not have a National insurance number maybe that’s why they did not get back in-touch but now I do have one,please everyone am desperate to settle this out of court,do you think i need a lawyer,kindly advise,thanks

welcome

Just to clarify - they do not require a National Insurance number to take action against you including prosecuting you in court - more likely they just lost something in their system and did not follow it up previously

However, if they can tie things together it is not in your interest as it shows that they have threatened prosecution in the past and you have not learned your lesson

What will it take for you to stop fare dodging? The solution to not being taken to court is to buy the correct tian ticket every time (or not travel by train at all)

In terms of a reply to this - here is a framework from another case that you can use to guide how you should consider replying

Paragraph 1: Acknowledge and Address the Incident

• Start by thanking them for their email and clearly stating the date of their email.
• Immediately identify the specific incident they're referring to, including the date of travel and the stations involved – also use any reference number they have issued on any paperwork you have
• State directly that you are writing in response to this incident.

Paragraph 2: Accept Responsibility for the Specific Incident

• Clearly and unequivocally state that you fully accept responsibility for not having a valid ticket for your entire journey on that specific day.
• Briefly explain what happened, and acknowledge that this was incorrect for your whole journey.

Paragraph 3: Express Remorse and Impact

• State that you deeply regret your actions on this occasion.
• Make it clear you will not be doing this again

Paragraph 4: Propose a Settlement

• Clearly state that you hope to resolve this matter through an out-of-court settlement. This signals your intention to avoid court proceedings.
• Confirm your willingness to pay any outstanding fare for the journey in question and to cover their administration costs. This is a precise offer for the specific incident being investigated.
• Conclude by asking what further information or action they require from you to facilitate this resolution.

Be aware they will probably investigate our on line ticket purchasing to look for suspicious ticket buying behaviour (like what they caught you for) and would typically seek the money for fares they think you have evaded as part of any settlement offer