SE considering prosecution letter

[KentCommuter]

I have been a regular commuter from North Kent stations to London for 5+ years. My start and end locations vary depending on the time I catch the train or what station may be easier for me to return to in the evening and/or whether I am using the underground so benefit from a travelcard.

I usually buy smart tickets on "The Key", especially as I often buy a travel card and want to avoid having to collect multiple paper tickets.

There have been occasions when I am rushing in the morning that I have bought my ticket on the train via the app.

Last week was one of those morning rushes (which have become more common with my partner having to drop me to the station with our child as a passenger or arranging a lift as we only have one car). I therefore boarded a train without my smart ticket bought on the app or loaded to my "The Key."

I only needed a one way ticket to London Victoria, as I was unsure what train station I would be departing from in the evening due to a work event (in these scenarios I buy a one way in the evening, or use Oyster if only going as far as the TFL zones and then taking a taxi). I could not purchase a ticket for the train I had caught as it had already departed so I was going to purchase the next one from Longfield as an anytime single.

I was in the process of purchasing the ticket on the app but a patchy phone reception meant it did not go through. I tried with Uber but had the same issue. I then got distracted by work messages.

I returned to buy my ticket but was well past the last station (usually Denmark Hill but on this occassion the train was not a stopper so only stopped at Bromley South) so thought I may as well just buy the single from Denmark Hill.

I was therefore stopped at the barriers by revenue control officers for short faring, where in the heat of the moment I said came from Bromley South instead of Denmark Hill (which was the ticket I had, but that was no better as it was untrue and worse the train did not stop there) and so was believed to have short fared from Bromley South with doubts how got onto the train at Bromley South as there were revenue control officers there too.

When they wanted to take my details and a statement from me, I was honest and said where I actually came from.

Whilst I have bought tickets for the correct anytime or off peak journey (albeit the next train) from the train, I think I have short fared only once before over the 5+ years. It’s poor judgement and I now realise the severity of this action.

I have now received a letter indicating they are reviewing the case and considering prosecution. Any guidance on how to avoid this would be greatly appreciated.

Details usually requested below:

The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey
Started at Longfield, ended at London Victoria

The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable)
N/A

If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details
Presented a e-ticket with barcode from Denmark Hill to London Victoria

Details of any Railcard(s) held
Network railcard

When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing
Purchased on Uber app on train

What happened in any encounter with railway staff
As above.

Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post
Attached

 

[30907]

The attachment has failed

I suggest you look for posts by longstanding forum member Hadders that will offer general guidance as to how you proceed.

SE will investigate your ticketing history, but on the basis of what you have said asking them to consider a settlement out of court should work.

FYI it is an offence in most cases to board before buying.

For reference Anytime tickets are not restricted to a specific train, so it is better to select a later train from your actual station than to select the correct train from a later station.

 

[KentCommuter]

Letter re-attached.

I usually do buy an anytime single/return/travelcard (or off peak equivalent when post rush hour) for a later train from my original destination once it’s departed.

On this occasion as I was close to my destination I just went with what I thought was the last station, which for the sake of just £10 isn’t really worth it.

 

[GadgetMan]

Letter re-attached.

I usually do buy an anytime single/return/travelcard (or off peak equivalent when post rush hour) for a later train from my original destination once it’s departed.

On this occasion as I was close to my destination I just went with what I thought was the last station, which for the sake of just £10 isn’t really worth it.

Lot of people claim the one time they got caught happens to be the only time they short fared (ignoring you confessing to one other here).

Unfortunately this goes hand in hand with them saying they travel from different stations and buy tickets on board after departure.

If the above is 100% true then fair enough.

However if it isn't, then best to stop digging a deeper hole. As when they look into your purchase history it won't be hard for them to match up travel patterns, arrival (barrier scan) times to see if the train you are likely to have been on stopped at the station you bought ticket from, and if so, was your ticket scanned at the entrance, if not, were barriers operational on that day/time etc.

Being caught in further lies is only likely to annoy the investigation team more and make a out of court settlement more expensive and harder to reach.

 

[KentCommuter]

It’s all true. My purchase history will reflect it too. It was purely an opportunity I took in the moment given where I was on the train journey rather than anything premeditated. An opportunity I will not risk taking again now I understand the law.

I don’t plan to share all this background with SE. I just intend to apologise, recognise the error in judgment and request an out of court settlement in as efficient a way as possible.

I hope someone can guide on if this will achieve an outcome which prevents prosecution.

Thank you.

Good evening,

I plan to respond by e-mail and post tomorrow. I have drafted the below response aligning to Hadder's advice and responses shared in other posts. I would welcome feedback please.

Dear Mr. Willis,

I am writing in response to your letter regarding my journey on 25th February 2025.

On that morning, I travelled from Longfield to London Victoria but did not purchase a valid ticket for my full journey in advance. I was in a rush and boarded the train without having bought a valid ticket via an app beforehand, as I usually would, and was unable to process this immediately after boarding the train. I then made the poor decision to purchase a ticket from Denmark Hill, which did not cover the full journey I had taken.

I fully accept that this was a serious error of judgment and take full responsibility for my actions. I now understand the importance of ensuring my ticket is purchased before travel and that it accurately covers the entire journey. This is not something I will repeat, and I regret the inconvenience caused.

I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to resolve this matter without court proceedings and will pay the outstanding fare, along with any reasonable administrative costs incurred by Southeastern.

Once again, I sincerely apologise for my actions and appreciate your time in reviewing my response. I hope we can resolve this matter as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,
[KentCommuter]