I’m trying to urgently seek advice as I have been sent a single justice procedure notice from LNER. I had booked an advanced single with a 19-25 railcard and my original train I intended to catch changed platforms a few minutes before it left the station causing me to miss it. I then went over to the next available train which was LNER and spoke to the train manager who said it was okay to get on. When the ticket inspector came around my rail card was out of date by afew days I didn’t notice this (which I understand is completely my fault). It has now reached 21 days and I have continuously called the number I was provided with to handle it out of court and the line is constantly saying user busy and I’m unable to get through. I’m panicking now as this is my final day or else they will plead me as guilty, I’m a university student and I was unaware I received a letter which lead to this situation as I don’t live at home and the inspector made me hand over my home address, with not being home I’ve been unaware I received this letter and it’s led to this. Could anyone please advise me on what to do as this is very stressful for me and could ruin my career. Thankyou.
Hi
I would advise you to put in writing whatever you are trying to ring LNER about (presumably asking if they will agree to a settlement rather than it going to court to be dealt with) - trying to phone is never the best way to deal with matters like this which need to be formal, and a record of what is said retained - is there any sort of address or e-mail address on anything you have been sent (an address for LNER that is) - including on the court papers - that you can use?
You should keep copies of whatever you send to them, and if you are posting it you should make sure you get a signed for (or even guaranteed delivery) service from a post office because if your request to settle is to get anywhere you need to be 100% sure it reaches LNER before you due court date.
You need to explain that you did not receive the letter they sent promptly because you were not at the address at the time (it has not helped you that whoever in your family did not do anything about letters sent to you whilst you were away during term time....but no doubt you realise that now)
Others may advise if pleading 'not guilty' to the SJPN allows you to buy more time to request a settlement whilst a court hearing date is set- but the problem with that is you admit that you were guilty of the issue of not having an in date Railcard, so it may not be the best route to go down. Like I say. other forum members will have advice on this aspect.
It may help people respond if you can upload anonymised copies of all the stuff you have received about this (check for personal info on all the pages and remove it).
Also if you amend title of your thread to add eg '.
... - help contacting LNER prosecutions team' it may catch the eye of someone who knows best how to get through to LNER about this.
Meanwhile do ask the forum any questions about all this as the process goes on, there are good experts on here, including how the court process will work etc.
