Southeastern letter

[archietom]

Hi,
On 19th February I got caught short faring. I bought a single ticket from London Bridge to London Charing Cross and when arriving at Charing Cross I got stopped. I initially tried to plead ignorance but admitted that I had forgotten to tap in at Chislehurst and bought a ticket when at London Bridge. He then asked my reasons etc and if I have bought similar tickets before etc. I said I have but not for the intention of short faring and he seemed satisfied with my anwser.

I always correctly travel in the morning normally but have for 6-7 months been buying single tickets from Charing Cross to London Bridge in the evening on a 26-30 railcard of which I don’t have. I have seen there are 45 trips of this nature on my Trainline account.

I have today received the letter stating to offer comments etc and have seen a few responses to say etc. I have drafted the below and would be grateful on any comments to see if it is satisfactory to send as I have to settle this out of court.

Dear Prosecutions Team,

I am writing in response to your letter regarding the incident on 19th February 2025.

On the day in question, I travelled from Chislehurst Station to London Charing Cross, whilst at Chislehurst I forgot to tap in and realized this when the train had stopped at London Bridge. I then purchased a ticket from London Bridge to London Charing Cross online, meaning I didn’t purchase a ticket for the full journey as I should have done.

For reference I am currently living in West Malling and I drive to Chislehurst station in the morning and I park on Chislehurst Road.

I regret my actions and take full and complete responsibility for them. I know what I did was wrong and I sincerely apologise for my poor judgement and decision making. It was a decision made without fully considering the consequences and is something that I wholeheartedly regret and deeply ashamed of. I understand the seriousness of this matter and I can categorically guarantee that I will never do this again.

I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to settle this matter without the need for court action. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any reasonable administrative costs incurred by Southeastern in handling this case.

Once again, I am incredibly sorry and hope you would consider my request.

Yours sincerely,



- I haven’t admitted or focused on the other short faring but imagine they will check that. Is this letter okay to send or does it need editing.

I looked at solicitor costs and they are suggesting £700 which is high.

Thanks

 

[Horizon22]

Were you charged anything or given paperwork at the time you were stopped at Charing Cross?

One issue you may have here is that because you have been stopped now, they may check through your Trainline account and see incidents of a similar nature - the 45 such incidences you mention. Therefore it would seem more like a sustained decision you made.

I’m not saying incriminate yourself further, but others with more experience may advise you to hold off because you will say one thing and Southeastern come back to you and basically ask about the other 45 times and ask for a considerable amount more.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I think you're right not to mention the previous incidents of short faring, because there's no requirement to incriminate yourself and they might not investigate further. However, the overwhelming likelihood is that they'll look at your previous purchases and see a sustained pattern of behaviour. If they do that, you having said you "forgot" to get a ticket on the occasion you were caught will look like the lie it clearly is, and it could influence their decision as to whether they settle out of court or prosecute.

My advice would be not to lie, and find another form of words and not claim you forgot

 

[AlterEgo]

On the day in question, I travelled from Chislehurst Station to London Charing Cross, whilst at Chislehurst I forgot to tap in and realized this when the train had stopped at London Bridge. I then purchased a ticket from London Bridge to London Charing Cross online, meaning I didn’t purchase a ticket for the full journey as I should have done.

You can't say you "forgot" - this is a lie, and Southeastern will know this is a lie if or when they check your previous purchases (they often do) and find you "forgot" 45 times. I'd be surprised if they didn't check; a decent investigator knows someone getting caught short faring has to be extremely unlucky to be caught on the very first occasion.

 

[30907]

You can't say you "forgot" - this is a lie, and Southeastern will know this is a lie if or when they check your previous purchases (they often do) and find you "forgot" 45 times. I'd be surprised if they didn't check; a decent investigator knows someone getting caught short faring has to be extremely unlucky to be caught on the very first occasion.

That apart, the letter is fine, and mentioning the discrepancy between your current address and the station you use is a wise move.

 

[archietom]

Were you charged anything or given paperwork at the time you were stopped at Charing Cross?

One issue you may have here is that because you have been stopped now, they may check through your Trainline account and see incidents of a similar nature - the 45 such incidences you mention. Therefore it would seem more like a sustained decision you made.

I’m not saying incriminate yourself further, but others with more experience may advise you to hold off because you will say one thing and Southeastern come back to you and basically ask about the other 45 times and ask for a considerable amount more.

In my message back to Southeastern I am not incriminating myself further, I am admitting fault for the offence and I’m not denying or admitting that I have made similar offences.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Mar 2025 ==

You can't say you "forgot" - this is a lie, and Southeastern will know this is a lie if or when they check your previous purchases (they often do) and find you "forgot" 45 times. I'd be surprised if they didn't check; a decent investigator knows someone getting caught short faring has to be extremely unlucky to be caught on the very first occasion.