Report for Prosecution, what will happen?

[kb1995]

Hi all,

So long story short I travel everyday from Queenstown Road Battersea to London Waterloo, I live in west London but I train at a gym in Battersea so I get driven down to Battersea and then catch the train to work. I didn’t go down and train on this day and forgot to get a ticket and stupidly (VERY STUPIDLY) still purchased the normal ticket out of force of habit once on the train, below is what happened, and would love some feedback on what you think the outcome will be?

was stopped by a fair evasion officer as I purchased a later ticket for my journey, I did so as it was my normal train ticket that I buy daily but this time I ended up getting the early train (this ticket costs £3 more for an early train) so I paid £5.55 rather than £8.50. I know that I purchased the wrong ticket and this was seen as ‘fair evasion’ however what I am not happy with, is what happened next.

During the encounter, the officer demanded my personal details but failed to properly identify himself or explain his authority. When I asked for clarification, he became defensive. A police officer was nearby, and when I attempted to seek guidance, the fare-evasion officer’s behaviour escalated, he became increasingly rude and dismissive toward me.
At one point, he accused me of lying and treated me with hostility. He even put down that I came from Ashford (Surrey) and when I told him that is not what I said and he told me it is. Feeling uncomfortable and targeted, I initially provided an alias that I use at times for personal reasons relating to my identity. Rather than responding with professionalism or understanding, the officer showed overt judgement which now I understand why. It was just the fact I did not feel comfortable giving a stranger my details without clarity of who he was. He continued to speak to me in a condescending manner and I believe he was writing a report that “fit his narrative.” This alone made me feel that the situation had shifted from an official check to something personal and biased.

After some time, I provided my actual details to resolve the situation. However, instead of closing the matter respectfully, the officer continued to behave unprofessionally. He made a final comment implying that “no one will respect you at work today,” which was entirely unnecessary, hurtful, and degrading. We did go back and forward and argued abit as it got abit heated.

I understand that fare enforcement is an important responsibility, but I do not expect, nor should anyone expect, to be spoken to in such a disrespectful and personal manner.

And now I’m here worrying that because I was srupid and didn’t just straight up give me details until towards the end that I am going to go to prison (maybe a long shot) but my anxiety is through the roof.

For the record I don’t think I’ve ever been given a warning or been caught before so won’t be on their system for anything like this

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi all,

So long story short I travel everyday from Queenstown Road Battersea to London Waterloo, I live in west London but I train at a gym in Battersea so I get driven down to Battersea and then catch the train to work. I didn’t go down and train on this day and forgot to get a ticket and stupidly (VERY STUPIDLY) still purchased the normal ticket out of force of habit once on the train, below is what happened, and would love some feedback on what you think the outcome will be?

was stopped by a fair evasion officer as I purchased a later ticket for my journey, I did so as it was my normal train ticket that I buy daily but this time I ended up getting the early train (this ticket costs £3 more for an early train) so I paid £5.55 rather than £8.50. I know that I purchased the wrong ticket and this was seen as ‘fair evasion’ however what I am not happy with, is what happened next.

During the encounter, the officer demanded my personal details but failed to properly identify himself or explain his authority. When I asked for clarification, he became defensive. A police officer was nearby, and when I attempted to seek guidance, the fare-evasion officer’s behaviour escalated, he became increasingly rude and dismissive toward me.
At one point, he accused me of lying and treated me with hostility. He even put down that I came from Ashford (Surrey) and when I told him that is not what I said and he told me it is. Feeling uncomfortable and targeted, I initially provided an alias that I use at times for personal reasons relating to my identity. Rather than responding with professionalism or understanding, the officer showed overt judgement which now I understand why. It was just the fact I did not feel comfortable giving a stranger my details without clarity of who he was. He continued to speak to me in a condescending manner and I believe he was writing a report that “fit his narrative.” This alone made me feel that the situation had shifted from an official check to something personal and biased.

After some time, I provided my actual details to resolve the situation. However, instead of closing the matter respectfully, the officer continued to behave unprofessionally. He made a final comment implying that “no one will respect you at work today,” which was entirely unnecessary, hurtful, and degrading. We did go back and forward and argued abit as it got abit heated.

I understand that fare enforcement is an important responsibility, but I do not expect, nor should anyone expect, to be spoken to in such a disrespectful and personal manner.

And now I’m here worrying that because I was srupid and didn’t just straight up give me details until towards the end that I am going to go to prison (maybe a long shot) but my anxiety is through the roof.

For the record I don’t think I’ve ever been given a warning or been caught before so won’t be on their system for anything like this

welcome
Just to re-assure you, you will not be going to prison if things were as you have described.

Giving false details is a separate offence, so it is good that you eventually gave correct details (and in fact them being able to contact you via a correct address is an important part of preventing this incident escalating automatically to court action), and if you gave false detail early in the conversation (it's a while before you mention it in your outline of events) it may be that that was immediately suspected or detected which might well have escalated the tone in which you were spoken to.

It would help if you could answer the questions posed in this post, as far as you feel able to do so:

Please read before posting in Disputes & Prosecutions

Guidance for those asking for advice: Please bear in mind the following, when asking for advice in this section: We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example: The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey The stations* where you changed...

www.railforums.co.uk

Obviously I didn't witness the incident so can't judge how you were spoken to - but it's important to bear in mind that fare evasion is an offence (and unfortunately people who have made genuine mistakes can get caught up in this because there is so much deliberate fare evasion going on) - as a consequence interactions with staff who deal with fare evasion are not likely to be 'customer service style interactions'.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

And now I’m here worrying that (...) I am going to go to prison (maybe a long shot)

Don't worry about prison. The reasons are a bit complicated but the short answer is that unless the matter has been very seriously aggravated, the punishment for fare dodging is a fine. And you'd know if you'd very seriously aggravated matters since you say there was a police officer nearby - and if you'd very seriously aggravated things they'd have arrested you.

 

[MotCO]

Hi all,

So long story short I travel everyday from Queenstown Road Battersea to London Waterloo, I live in west London but I train at a gym in Battersea so I get driven down to Battersea and then catch the train to work. I didn’t go down and train on this day and forgot to get a ticket and stupidly (VERY STUPIDLY) still purchased the normal ticket out of force of habit once on the train, below is what happened, and would love some feedback on what you think the outcome will be?

was stopped by a fair evasion officer as I purchased a later ticket for my journey, I did so as it was my normal train ticket that I buy daily but this time I ended up getting the early train (this ticket costs £3 more for an early train) so I paid £5.55 rather than £8.50. I know that I purchased the wrong ticket and this was seen as ‘fair evasion’ however what I am not happy with, is what happened next.

During the encounter, the officer demanded my personal details but failed to properly identify himself or explain his authority. When I asked for clarification, he became defensive. A police officer was nearby, and when I attempted to seek guidance, the fare-evasion officer’s behaviour escalated, he became increasingly rude and dismissive toward me.
At one point, he accused me of lying and treated me with hostility. He even put down that I came from Ashford (Surrey) and when I told him that is not what I said and he told me it is. Feeling uncomfortable and targeted, I initially provided an alias that I use at times for personal reasons relating to my identity. Rather than responding with professionalism or understanding, the officer showed overt judgement which now I understand why. It was just the fact I did not feel comfortable giving a stranger my details without clarity of who he was. He continued to speak to me in a condescending manner and I believe he was writing a report that “fit his narrative.” This alone made me feel that the situation had shifted from an official check to something personal and biased.

After some time, I provided my actual details to resolve the situation. However, instead of closing the matter respectfully, the officer continued to behave unprofessionally. He made a final comment implying that “no one will respect you at work today,” which was entirely unnecessary, hurtful, and degrading. We did go back and forward and argued abit as it got abit heated.

I understand that fare enforcement is an important responsibility, but I do not expect, nor should anyone expect, to be spoken to in such a disrespectful and personal manner.

And now I’m here worrying that because I was srupid and didn’t just straight up give me details until towards the end that I am going to go to prison (maybe a long shot) but my anxiety is through the roof.

For the record I don’t think I’ve ever been given a warning or been caught before so won’t be on their system for anything like this

There's a lot to unpick here.

Firstly, it is very very unlikely you will go to prison; at worst you may have a criminal conviction and a fine, but even this is unlikely if you engage positively with them and what you have told us is the truth.

Next, a series of questions to fully understand what actually happened.

1. Did you buy an off-peak ticket after you boarded, but travelled on a peak-time train? Technically this is a breach, because you did not have a ticket before you boarded. But having a 'wrong time' ticket should be able to be corrected by 'excessing' the ticket, but a ticket inspector may not be able to do this. (If I've got this wrong, others will be able to correct me.)
2. Did the ticket inspector give you any paperwork? If so, please upload it, obscuring personal details and reference numbers.
3. Giving a wrong address is an offence, but if you finally gave the correct address, this may not be a problem.
4. Did you ask the ticket collector for id, and did he give you any? Was it obvious he was an official ticket collector?

Very few passengers buy a ticket from Queenstown Road to Waterloo; any passengers doing this journey would tend to use Oyster, so in the inspector's eyes you were a classic fare evader, just buying a cheap ticket to exit the gates at Waterloo. However, this does not excuse the behaviour of the inspector, and if you wish to make a complaint, I would wait to see what arrives in the post and settling any ticket infringement before making the complaint. What you can do now is write down all you can remember of the incident (what was said, time, appearance of the inspector etc) to help preserve your 'memory'.

My only other concern is whether this was an official ticket inspector, based on his refusing to provide id and his general attitude. If he gave you some paperwork, this should help clarify.

 

[kb1995]

welcome
Just to re-assure you, you will not be going to prison if things were as you have described.

Giving false details is a separate offence, so it is good that you eventually gave correct details (and in fact them being able to contact you via a correct address is an important part of preventing this incident escalating automatically to court action), and if you gave false detail early in the conversation (it's a while before you mention it in your outline of events) it may be that that was immediately suspected or detected which might well have escalated the tone in which you were spoken to.

It would help if you could answer the questions posed in this post, as far as you feel able to do so:

Please read before posting in Disputes & Prosecutions

Guidance for those asking for advice: Please bear in mind the following, when asking for advice in this section: We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example: The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey The stations* where you changed...

www.railforums.co.uk

Obviously I didn't witness the incident so can't judge how you were spoken to - but it's important to bear in mind that fare evasion is an offence (and unfortunately people who have made genuine mistakes can get caught up in this because there is so much deliberate fare evasion going on) - as a consequence interactions with staff who deal with fare evasion are not likely to be 'customer service style interactions'.

Thank you so much! That makes me feel slightly better. Also, I do sometimes travel from Battersea but have had a few instances where I have purchased a cheaper ticket and used it before the exact time, will they look back on my Trainline App history and see scan times, purchase times etc. I never push through or been caught before just tried to be cheeky a few times and never had this before but was obviously caught on this occasion, rightfully so

 

[Trainman40083]

Are we 100% clear where you actually boarded this train on this day? The initial post suggests you usually go to a gym at Battersea, but on this day, didn't.

 

[kb1995]

Are we 100% clear where you actually boarded this train on this day? The initial post suggests you usually go to a gym at Battersea, but on this day, didn't.

So, and by no means am I being discriminatory here, some of the things I said were misinterpreted by the officer due to not being able to understand each other, he had a very thick foreign African region accent, ultimately when I explained everything to him, and I swear by this, he put down that I came from Ashford(Surrey) when I ultimately told him that I came from Brentford on that day, Ashford is on that line, but by no means did I come from Ashford (or even say that). So when I tried to explain to him it’s a normal ticket I normally buy, he ultimately dismissed it and accused me of lying, this is another reason we were arguing. It was very tough and even though I admit I could absolutely be better, the officers communication was terrible; that’s why I wrote a complaint afterwards. So to clear up, I do normally travel from Battersea some days, but on this day I just went from my home train station

 

[Fawkes Cat]

The initial post suggests you usually go to a gym at Battersea, but on this day, didn't.

We have seen people assert a similar position before. In those cases, it eventually emerged that they didn't go to a gym just short of their end station after all but were making a story up in the hope that it would explain their short ticketing. I imagine that the railway will have seen similar cases and so will be unlikely to believe the story unless it's evidenced. So it's particularly important that the OP should start gathering evidence of them going to the gym in Battersea. Don't throw away any membership cards, details of bookings, payment receipts and so on - keep them to prove that you're telling the truth.

 

[kb1995]

We have seen people assert a similar position before. In those cases, it eventually emerged that they didn't go to a gym just short of their end station after all but were making a story up in the hope that it would explain their short ticketing. I imagine that the railway will have seen similar cases and so will be unlikely to believe the story unless it's evidenced. So it's particularly important that the OP should start gathering evidence of them going to the gym in Battersea. Don't throw away any membership cards, details of bookings, payment receipts and so on - keep them to prove that you're telling the truth.

Yes, I have proof of my swipe in date and time of most mornings there so it’s fine. I also work for the gym company

 

[Trainman40083]

So, and by no means am I being discriminatory here, some of the things I said were misinterpreted by the officer due to not being able to understand each other, he had a very thick foreign African region accent, ultimately when I explained everything to him, and I swear by this, he put down that I came from Ashford(Surrey) when I ultimately told him that I came from Brentford on that day, Ashford is on that line, but by no means did I come from Ashford (or even say that). So when I tried to explain to him it’s a normal ticket I normally buy, he ultimately dismissed it and accused me of lying, this is another reason we were arguing. It was very tough and even though I admit I could absolutely be better, the officers communication was terrible; that’s why I wrote a complaint afterwards. So to clear up, I do normally travel from Battersea some days, but on this day I just went from my home train station

Thanks for clarifying that. So you boarded at Brentford (presume no barriers) and bought your ticket from Queenstown Road (presume, maybe wrongly) that has physical barriers, to get into Waterloo.

 

[kb1995]

Thanks for clarifying that. So you boarded at Brentford (presume no barriers) and bought your ticket from Queenstown Road (presume, maybe wrongly) that has physical barriers, to get into Waterloo.

Yes correct! I was cheeky and the thing is, I know I done wrong and I’m absolutely not avoiding that part, just trying to avoid prison really

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Yes correct! I was cheeky and the thing is, I know I done wrong and I’m absolutely not avoiding that part, just trying to avoid prison really

If avoiding prison is your sole concern, you have no problem. The railway will write to you some time in the next six months, telling you that they are considering prosecution (and quite probably mentioning that you could go to prison - but as above, that just doesn't happen). If you then respond apologising for your mistake, and making it clear that you will not do it again, then it's highly likely that the railway will agree to 'settle out of court', which will mean you paying them the train fare you should have paid, plus an 'admin fee' - in all around £200. And even if they don't agree to settle out of court but prosecute, then the worst will be that you have to pay a fine, plus compensation, plus various surcharges, plus court and prosecution costs - in all around £500 (possibly more, possibly less). Either way, it will be a little expensive - but you won't be going to prison.

 

[Trainman40083]

Yes correct! I was cheeky and the thing is, I know I done wrong and I’m absolutely not avoiding that part, just trying to avoid prison really

But you won't go to prison, if you engage with the train operator. You can see the issue, as can most regulars on this group. I guess the train operator will review your ticket purchasing history. Maybe you will have to prove your trips from Queenstown Road (but you'd have scanned in, so that should be easy)..

 

[WesternLancer]

Yes correct! I was cheeky and the thing is, I know I done wrong and I’m absolutely not avoiding that part, just trying to avoid prison really

can you answer the questions set out in the link I put in post #2 if possible please (or as many of them as you are able to do)

answer them in a list for clarity

If you can't answer any of them just put 'not applicable' or leave blank or something if you don't want to answer a particular question.

It is these questions:

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  
  • The stations where you actually started & finished your journey
  • The stations where you changed trains (if applicable);
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held;
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff; (you've already set this out - thanks)
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post.
• We need to know what outcome(s) you would consider satisfactory

 

[kb1995]

can you answer the questions set out in the link I put in post #2 please (or as many of them as you are able to do)

answer them in a list
If you can't answer any of them just put 'not applicable' or leave blank or something if you don't want to answer a particular question.

So sorry western lancer, will do that now.

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey - Brentford starter and finished at London Bridge via Waterloo
  • The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable); Waterloo to Waterloo east
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details; All day return - QBR to LB
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held; Yea I had my 26 - 30 railcard (valid)
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing; - purchased on the train when going through QBR
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff; - yes with the Fair evasion officer and we had a slightly argument and disagreement on how we both spoke to each other
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post. - I do not have these currently
• We need to know what outcome(s) you would consider satisfactory - paying any amount that is need covering any costs etc - no prison time or criminal record
• We ask that you start your own thread as we have, in general, a one case per thread policy as we have found that every case is different even if they may appear similar at first glance. - so sorry I thought I had done this

 

[WesternLancer]

So sorry western lancer, will do that now.

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey - Brentford starter and finished at London Bridge via Waterloo
  • The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable); Waterloo to Waterloo east
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details; All day return - QBR to LB
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held; Yea I had my 26 - 30 railcard (valid)
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing; - purchased on the train when going through QBR
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff; - yes with the Fair evasion officer and we had a slightly argument and disagreement on how we both spoke to each other
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post. - I do not have these currently
• We need to know what outcome(s) you would consider satisfactory - paying any amount that is need covering any costs etc - no prison time or criminal record
• We ask that you start your own thread as we have, in general, a one case per thread policy as we have found that every case is different even if they may appear similar at first glance. - so sorry I thought I had done this

Thanks for all that - that will help people - just to confirm you do have your own thread going here, nothing to apologise for.

Is it correct to assume it was SWR railway staff that stopped you at Waterloo main line station? (not SE Trains at Waterloo East or TfL staff for example)

 

[kb1995]

Thanks for all that - that will help people - just to confirm you do have your own thread going here, nothing to apologise for.

Is it correct to assume it was SWR railway staff that stopped you at Waterloo main line station? (not SE Trains at Waterloo East or TfL staff for example)

Yea it was defo SWRailway staff who stopped me

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Nov 2025 ==

But you won't go to prison, if you engage with the train operator. You can see the issue, as can most regulars on this group. I guess the train operator will review your ticket purchasing history. Maybe you will have to prove your trips from Queenstown Road (but you'd have scanned in, so that should be easy)..

This is just out of left field because now I’ve opened Pandora’s box I’m really interested in different outcomes, let’s say I did evade it for 5 months and a reason was due to financial difficulties, (and this is absolutely hypothetical) what would they do in that instance as searching online it’s hard to believe so little people have been in a situation

 

[WesternLancer]

This is just out of left field because now I’ve opened Pandora’s box I’m really interested in different outcomes, let’s say I did evade it for 5 months and a reason was due to financial difficulties, (and this is absolutely hypothetical) what would they do in that instance as searching online it’s hard to believe so little people have been in a situation

We see lots of people who have evaded fares on lots of occasions and thousands of people do get prosecuted every year.

If people engage with them then it can still be possible to secure an out of court settlement instead of a court prosecution (and resulting criminal record) but they would seek payment of all the fares they believe have been evaded as a condition of that settlement. If that was not forthcoming they would prosecute at court for the offence where the person was caught red handed because they can guarantee securing a guilty verdict in court. The punishment is a court fine based on the sentencing guidelines for the offence concerned.

If this involved TfL (which you ought to know as you live in London) they don't do out of court settlements - basically their default position is to prosecute in every occasion unless there are very clear extenuating circumstances (financial difficulties would not be extenuating circumstances).

 

[kb1995]

We see lots of people who have evaded fares on lots of occasions.

If people engage with them then it can still be possible to secure an out of court settlement instead of a court prosecution (and resulting criminal record) but they would seek payment of all the fares they believe have been evaded as a condition of that settlement. If that was not forthcoming they would prosecute at court for the offence where the person was caught red handed because they can guarantee securing a guilty verdict in court. The punishment is a court fine based on the sentencing guidelines for the offence concerned.

If this involved TfL (which you ought to know as you live in London) they don't do out of court settlements - basically their default position is to prosecute in every occasion unless there are very clear extenuating circumstances (financial difficulties would not be extenuating circumstances).

Makes total sense! Thanks so much!

 

[WesternLancer]

Makes total sense! Thanks so much!

The general advice usually given on this forum might be helpful to you to see in terms of what to expect - I've copied it below FYI.

You mention that you have already submitted a complaint about the member of staff who questioned you. It's usually advised here that it is wiser to do that after you have resolved the the ticketing problem rather than at this stage - because the most serious problem you face is the ticketing problem - not the way you were spoken to. The ticketing problem is potentially the start of a route to a magistrates court prosecution so best to resolve that with the least worst outcome you can achieve, rather than lodging complaints about what happened.

However, what's done is done now - so you can't undo that, and you will just have to wait and see what transpires.

Whilst you wait to here from SWR it's a good idea to follow the advice up thread - gather evidence to support the details of the journey you say you took that day, and write some private notes about what happened so you have it when you are contacted in case you need to refer to it. It may be some weeks before they write to you.

Here's the general advice:

You committed a criminal offence by travelling with an invalid ticket and railway companies are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before.

Next, what happens is the railway company will write to you. The letter will go to the address that you gave them / on any of your ID they checked so you need to be able to access hard copy post at that address as they often send things that way (but also check e-mail and spam). It is extremely important that you reply, and you'll only have a limited time to do so (often 14 days from the date on their communication).

When you receive the letter post a redacted copy of it in this thread - removing your personal details and any ref numbers, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. You'll find lots of example letters you can use in this section of the forum but the reply basically needs to mention:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident and will not do this again
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

The railway will probably offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare for the journey you made at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for any invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also audit your online ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets that were not valid or that they think may be 'suspicious' (eg railcard discounted tickets when you did not have a valid railcard, or tickets for only part of the journey, or tickets bought after boarding the train you travelled on ) they will probably factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement offer. Depending on how many journeys you've made over the period concerned this could end up being expensive.

Settlements usually have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered so if money is tight you might want to think about how you will raise the sum required at short notice.

 

[6Gman]

So sorry western lancer, will do that now.

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey - Brentford starter and finished at London Bridge via Waterloo
  • The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable); Waterloo to Waterloo east
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details; All day return - QBR to LB
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held; Yea I had my 26 - 30 railcard (valid)
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing; - purchased on the train when going through QBR
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff; - yes with the Fair evasion officer and we had a slightly argument and disagreement on how we both spoke to each other

So, you boarded at Brentford without a ticket but then bought one online from Battersea as you were passing through shortly before arriving at Waterloo?

 

[AlterEgo]

So, you boarded at Brentford without a ticket but then bought one online from Battersea as you were passing through shortly before arriving at Waterloo?

It's the last stop, so if you haven't been checked by then it's "safe" to buy it if your plan is to avoid arriving ticketless but also pay the least amount of money when short faring. SWR will probably audit the previous purchases and look at the scan data and purchase times. If they've all been scanned at Queenstown Road there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[kb1995]

So, you boarded at Brentford without a ticket but then bought one online from Battersea as you were passing through shortly before arriving at Waterloo?

Yeah correct, was so silly of me and my pockets will pay the price and that’s what I have to now live with, rightfully so

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Nov 2025 ==

It's the last stop, so if you haven't been checked by then it's "safe" to buy it if your plan is to avoid arriving ticketless but also pay the least amount of money when short faring. SWR will probably audit the previous purchases and look at the scan data and purchase times. If they've all been scanned at Queenstown Road there shouldn't be an issue.

Yeah absolutely, a few of them will absolutely get pulled but as I stated before, it’s a silly mistake that I now have to live with and have learnt my lesson

 

[John R]

Yeah absolutely, a few of them will absolutely get pulled but as I stated before, it’s a silly mistake that I now have to live with and have learnt my lesson

So just to be clear about the language “a few of them will absolutely get pulled” means “I’ve done this before on multiple occasions”?

And so your first post talking about forgetting and force of habit wasn't correct, because you were in the habit of being “cheeky” (ie breaking the law)?

You’ll still likely get offered a settlement, but it helps if you are completely honest with us and use clear language. And the reason I emphasise that is because when you have to correspond with SWR, you’ll have to do exactly the same if you are to convince them that you are sincerely apologetic and won’t do it again.

 

[kb1995]

So just to be clear about the language “a few of them will absolutely get pulled” means “I’ve done this before on multiple occasions”?

And so your first post talking about forgetting and force of habit wasn't correct, because you were in the habit of being “cheeky” (ie breaking the law)?

You’ll still likely get offered a settlement, but it helps if you are completely honest with us and use clear language. And the reason I emphasise that is because when you have to correspond with SWR, you’ll have to do exactly the same if you are to convince them that you are sincerely apologetic and won’t do it again.

Hi John, thank you so much for your reply, yes absolutely I’ve been ‘cheeky’ a few times. I’d say maybe 10/11 over the past 6 months with the other 70 times or so being scanned tickets from QRB. So yes, you are correct I absolutly broke the law on a number of occasions and this has now caught up with me. Rightfully so. This is something that I am going to hold my hands up to completely and admit. There’s no short selling the law. Everything I will do is put my hands up and be honest, apologetic and admit where I have gone wrong. I have never and will never shy away from when I have done wrong. On that day I was caught it was actually a force of habit as the weeks leading up everyday I went from QRB to LB. So on that occasion it was a case of habit, they may not see it like that and that’s something that I will have to deal with and understand their standpoint. Thanks for pointing that out so I could *hopefully* clear that up