Second offence Verification letter

[cheesecake27]

(Edited)
I'm 18 and was approached by a ticket inspector, my mum gave me her Disabled person's freedom pass because she is ill, I've been using the pass to get to school as I always study outside of my home and sleep late when I come back. I've had the pass confiscated once before and paid the first £80 fine.

I was really sacred and I didn't want to do it again, our household has no real income except for Universal Credit and I found out a long while ago that she hasn't been up to date with our utilities bills. I figured I could save up the costs to travel and help my mum once I finished exams.

This time a lady took my details and told me that I've had a previous offence, she told me that I would receive a letter for further action. When I received the verification letter and it was then that I realise this matter is far more serious than a first offence.

I have no income myself and my life has revolved around studying endlessly to try and gain income from a job also while taking care of my mum, because I have been taking care of her since primary school. I had no idea that this was a criminal offence until after I received a letter. I know that there are a lot of other people around my age who have experienced this, but it is incredibly nerve wrecking that I hate going outside and get terribly frightened and anxious.

I hate hate hate what I did and I would rather get a penalty fine and never go to university and work every day even if I can't pay it initially. I am so scared about this and I have no idea of what to do. I'm so nervous and regretful and I really wish to seek out help from a solicitor and on this forum.

 

[ohnoes]

Hi,

Just to confirm you were stopped by an inspector from TfL, or was this another train company inspector?

TfL take abuse of discounted passes extremely seriously and their default position is to prosecute those caught misusing them.

When you say you previously paid a fine for your previous offence using the card, how old were you when you were caught the first time (and were you stopped by TfL inspectors then)? TfL do not issue penalties themselves so I’m trying to figure out if you’ve already been convicted and fined by a court for fare evasion.

Their enforcement policy is here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf

Factors that go against you will be that you’re a habitual offender using a free travel pass, having been caught more than once. I’d say they’re likely to want to make an example out of you unfortunately so you’re unlikely to be let off this time.

How many times have you used the pass since you were last caught?

Wait for advice from the more experienced forum members but it may be worth considering saving the money spent on a solicitor to pay the court fine instead. Solicitors will probably start at £750+ depending on how much work the case is just to set your expectation on costs. This would be on top of any fine that a court would issue if they can’t convince TfL to let you off with a warning (which is unlikely to happen if you’ve been caught doing this before).

 

[alholmes]

Have you received the verification letter? If so can you post a copy here, with personal details redacted.

If you dealing with TfL then you have a big problem. For Freedom Pass misuse they will seek to prosecute, especially as this is the second time you’ve been caught. Whilst you are doing your best to support your mother, this is not an acceptable mitigant For using her pass.

In these instances, we typically recommend using a specialist law firm who may be able to assist you. But be aware that there is no guarantee that they will be able to persuade TfL to just give you a warning, and you’ll be liable for their costs anyway (typically £600-£800 or more). Firms that others have used include Makwanas or Manak.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Not a recommendation as such, but this is the link to Manak solicitors' site. As @alholmes has indicated, this could be costly.

Transport for London Fare Evasion– Manak Solicitors

Samir has assisted clients with Transport for London cases for many years.

manaksolicitors.co.uk

 

[AlterEgo]

What was the nature of your first offence? Did you get a penalty fare? It seems so, as you mention paying a fine. How old were you then?

Avoiding a conviction as an adult for this matter is quite rare and you are best advised to use a solicitor if this is your priority.

 

[cheesecake27]

Hi,

Just to confirm you were stopped by an inspector from TfL, or was this another train company inspector?

TfL take abuse of discounted passes extremely seriously and their default position is to prosecute those caught misusing them.

When you say you previously paid a fine for your previous offence using the card, how old were you when you were caught the first time (and were you stopped by TfL inspectors then)? TfL do not issue penalties themselves so I’m trying to figure out if you’ve already been convicted and fined by a court for fare evasion.

Their enforcement policy is here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf

Factors that go against you will be that you’re a habitual offender using a free travel pass, having been caught more than once. I’d say they’re likely to want to make an example out of you unfortunately so you’re unlikely to be let off this time.

How many times have you used the pass since you were last caught?

Wait for advice from the more experienced forum members but it may be worth considering saving the money spent on a solicitor to pay the court fine instead. Solicitors will probably start at £750+ depending on how much work the case is just to set your expectation on costs. This would be on top of any fine that a court would issue if they can’t convince TfL to let you off with a warning (which is unlikely to happen if you’ve been caught doing this before).

I previously paid the fine of £80 on the day and I paid it almost immediately. I was 17 at the time and it was not a court fine. I was scared to do it again but used it to make my journeys to go to my lessons.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jun 2025 ==

Have you received the verification letter? If so can you post a copy here, with personal details redacted.

If you dealing with TfL then you have a big problem. For Freedom Pass misuse they will seek to prosecute, especially as this is the second time you’ve been caught. Whilst you are doing your best to support your mother, this is not an acceptable mitigant For using her pass.

In these instances, we typically recommend using a specialist law firm who may be able to assist you. But be aware that there is no guarantee that they will be able to persuade TfL to just give you a warning, and you’ll be liable for their costs anyway (typically £600-£800 or more). Firms that others have used include Makwanas or Manak.

Yes I have the letter, here it is:

 

[AlterEgo]

Okay so you’re an adult now. The reason you weren’t prosecuted before is because TfL do not prosecute minors. But they will have the penalty fare on record and they will know this is a repeat occurrence.

If you want to avoid a conviction you really need to instruct a solicitor. It’s almost impossible to do this without one.

 

[cheesecake27]

Thank you, what's the best way about finding a solicitor?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Thank you, what's the best way about finding a solicitor?

Have a look at posts #3 and #4 above, and try Googling them.

 

[cheesecake27]

Moderator Note - I've merged this post into the existing thread so that discussion about the case is in one place, to avoid confusion.

I've been sent a verification letter and I'm trying my best to think of a response to write to TFL.

What kind of things should I include to give me the best chance of not getting prosecuted?

I'm still not sure if I should ask for a solicitor for help as my household's financial situation doesn't really allow me to.

Here it describes the situation that I'm in:

Second offence Verification letter

(Edited) I'm 18 and was approached by a ticket inspector, my mum gave me her Disabled person's freedom pass because she is ill, I've been using the pass to get to school as I always study outside of my home and sleep late when I come back. I've had the pass confiscated once before and paid the...

www.railforums.co.uk

I don't really know who to ask for help and I feel quite alone on this, I would really appreciate some help!

 

[30907]

The only thing IMO you can do is be honest - and make it clear that you were trying to help your mum with her financial problems.

It might help if you could say you have contacted a debt counselling service (with her permission of course) to help with this. One I am familiar with is Christians Against Poverty but I am sure there are non-religious ones too.

 

[Pushpit]

I don't really know who to ask for help and I feel quite alone on this, I would really appreciate some help!

There's a clear decision point for you here - getting a solicitor on to the case, if you can afford that; - or facing the almost certain prosecution. TfL are fairly consistent, they regard this sort of fare evasion as particularly severe and so every week they take hundreds of people to court for it. I can see that is a worrying prospect for you, but you won't be going to jail, but you will almost certainly have to attend court in person (if TfL wants all your fare evasion trips "taken into account"). This will then almost certainly lead to a fine and costs against you, and a criminal record. That record is spent after one year. About 40% of males in London have a criminal record of some sort, so it's not great but it's not the end of the world. If you can't afford the fine + costs then the courts can usually do a payment plan, and they will want to see that paid off within a year, normally.

Yes, this is a bad place for you. But you will get over it, and so long as you continue ti pay the right fare it will soon be something you will belong to your past, not your future.

 

[cheesecake27]

The only thing IMO you can do is be honest - and make it clear that you were trying to help your mum with her financial problems.

It might help if you could say you have contacted a debt counselling service (with her permission of course) to help with this. One I am familiar with is Christians Against Poverty but I am sure there are non-religious ones too.

Thanks for your reply. I've asked my college for help on sorting out the debt situation throughout my A levels, I have also reached out to a non profit organisation that helps young people with caring responsibilities to ill family members, should mention that too?

 

[cheesecake27]

There's a clear decision point for you here - getting a solicitor on to the case, if you can afford that; - or facing the almost certain prosecution. TfL are fairly consistent, they regard this sort of fare evasion as particularly severe and so every week they take hundreds of people to court for it. I can see that is a worrying prospect for you, but you won't be going to jail, but you will almost certainly have to attend court in person (if TfL wants all your fare evasion trips "taken into account"). This will then almost certainly lead to a fine and costs against you, and a criminal record. That record is spent after one year. About 40% of males in London have a criminal record of some sort, so it's not great but it's not the end of the world. If you can't afford the fine + costs then the courts can usually do a payment plan, and they will want to see that paid off within a year, normally.

Yes, this is a bad place for you. But you will get over it, and so long as you continue ti pay the right fare it will soon be something you will belong to your past, not your future.

Thank you for explaining this! I am still very anxious about this and I really didn't know that this was such a serious issue. Even though I'm a student, I have a bit of savings that might help get me a solicitor.

What kinds of jobs really care about the criminal record once it is spent? Is it jobs like the civil service? Will this have an effect when I go to university or effect my student loans?

 

[enyoueffsea]

The reality is TfL are likely to look at this and question what you have learnt from the first time you were caught. Ultimately, nothing, as you have continued to evade fares.

A solicitor would possibly help here but that appears to be outside your financial abilities.

You’ll have to draft your own correspondence to them. If I was going to structure it, it’d be something like:

1. Apology for continuing to evade fares with a clear explanation of your understanding of how wrong it is.
2. A short summary of your personal circumstances.
3. Details of the steps you have taken to improve those financial circumstances to reduce the risk of the need to continue to evade fares (post 11 gives some good advice there)
4. You’ll probably need to emphasise your age and your relative immaturity.
5. Request for a final warning (TfL won’t do a settlement).

It’s a long shot, but I’ve been surprised on here before. You quite simply must start to pay the correct fare from here or you’re only going to end up in a worse position.

Please do seek the financial support and I hope that improves things for you and your family.

 

[WesternLancer]

What kinds of jobs really care about the criminal record once it is spent? Is it jobs like the civil service? Will this have an effect when I go to university or effect my student loans?

I doubt any impact on student loan

I doubt any impact on university applications so long as it’s declared in any questions that ask.

Civil service: probably not if declared when asked.

Other jobs. Probably those that require a high level of trust or sensitive handling of financial information maybe.

See the website ‘ unlock’ for helpful iinfo.

 

[cheesecake27]

I doubt any impact on student loan

I doubt any impact on university applications so long as it’s declared in any questions that ask.

Civil service: probably not if declared when asked.

Other jobs. Probably those that require a high level of trust or sensitive handling of financial information maybe.

See the website ‘ unlock’ for helpful iinfo.

Thanks! I also want to extend my deadline for the response for the letter. What would I need to say?

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks! I also want to extend my deadline for the response for the letter. What would I need to say?

They set the deadline. Why do you want to extend it?

 

[cheesecake27]

They set the deadline. Why do you want to extend it?

My deadline is on the 19th, I have a meeting with the solicitors on the 18th at 2pm. They said that an extension is possible, I wanted to find out if I could actually request one?

 

[Hadders]

If you're using a solicitor then they should arrange an extension. That is the sort of thing you're paying them to do.

 

[cheesecake27]

If you're using a solicitor then they should arrange an extension. That is the sort of thing you're paying them to do.

Thank you! I'm going with Reeds solicitors, would this be a good choice?

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you! I'm going with Reeds solicitors, would this be a good choice?

They are one of the firms that occasionally get mentioned on here - if you use the forum 'search' function it will find any cases that the firm is mentioned in and that might help you see what others have experienced.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jun 2025 ==

My deadline is on the 19th, I have a meeting with the solicitors on the 18th at 2pm. They said that an extension is possible, I wanted to find out if I could actually request one?

Understood - hopefully the solicitor will be able to deal with all that for you if you have decided to pay for their assistance