Southeastern potential prosecution

[eva_daviva]

Hi,

I was hoping if someone can help me. I got stopped by the train officer today for re-using an open return ticket that has previously been used. I bought an open return ticket which took me back home but yesterday on my way to work I bought a single ticket hoping to use the return back to kent as I am very broke couldn’t afford a return ticket yesterday ( not like I’m making an excuse I feel so bad). However, the lady took down my statement and said I should expect a letter with potential prosecution. I really don’t want to go to court and I was hoping someone could be advise me on how to settle this outside of court. I also deeped after I left the station that I bought the ticket from my friends Trainline and not mine cos she had a rail card and mine expired. I’m now thinking of writing to them to accept my fault and also maybe mention to them about the Trainline. I’m happy to take the consequences of my action but I just don’t want to go to court as I’ve never had to before and I honestly wouldn’t be able to afford a lawyer. I hope someone can please see this and advise me on what they think it’s best.
Thank you all

 

[styles]

Some clarifications:

• Presumably you were caught actually on the return portion of the return ticket which had already been used?
• Which ticket(s) were actually inspected/copied - just the return portion of the return ticket, or did they also take down the details of the single which was used on the way out?
• When you say the ticket was bought on your friend's Trainline account - which ticket(s) are you referring to - the open return, the single, or both?

A pertinent question is also - is this the only time you have done this with buying a single instead of another return; and is this the only time you've used your friend's Trainline account to buy a railcard ticket when you don't have a railcard?

Southeastern may choose to investigate the purchase history on either Trainline account.

You will receive a notice of intended prosecution asking for more details. When that lands, come back here and post a copy of it with personal details/identifying information redacted for advice.

Most likely with Southeastern you will be able to negotiate an out of court settlement to the matter by writing an honest and contrite letter apologising for your actions and assuring them it won't happen again. It's not guaranteed, but unless they find evidence of you doing this very frequently, it's very likely. You'll pay an amount for the full fares, and an admin fee.

For now wait for the letter. Then come back for advice when it arrives.

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I expect the forum pros will be around later to advise you. They've helped a lot of people to settle out of court and do it without a lawyer.

It's normally best not to write until you hear from the train company. Could show us any paperwork you were given please? Be sure to redact your name, address and any reference number.

Sorry, crossed posts with styles.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

You're in a spot of bother here! From what I can see there are two issues:

- You reused a ticket
- You've used a railcard discounted ticket but you don't possess a railcard

Both of these mean you did not have a valid ticket which is a criminal offence and Southeastern are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to.

A further complication is that the ticket was purchased via your friends Trainline account. This in itself is not illegal, but it does complicate matters and potentially means your friends account will be investigated which you will have to work hard to unpick. Do you purchase all of your tickets through your friends account, or only some of them?

Southeastern will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation, and who haven't come to their attention before. What happens next is they will write to you saying they have received a report and are considering prosecuting but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. When the letter arrives, post a redacted copy of it in this thread with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. Do not contact Southeastern ahead of the letter arriving.

If you are offered a settlement expect to have to pay the cost of the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate, with no credit given for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. Southeastern will audit your (and potentially your friends) Trainline purchase history and if this suggests further ticketing irregularities they will factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement. It is possible that Southeastern will write to your friend too. Your reply to Southeasten will need some very careful wording to explain what has happened so it is important to make sure it is checked to make sure the wording is sent.

Settlements normally have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered, payment in installments isn't normally allowed so if money is tight think about how you can raise the sum required.

 

[eva_daviva]

Hi thank you all for replying, I have purchased my tickets from the account since March that my rail card expired. The ticket I used yesterday from kent to Victoria was also purchased there as well as the open return ticket I was stopped for this morning. When I was stopped the ticket that was inspected was the open return and the details of that was taken down. I have never bought a single ticket for return before ( not excusing what I did I was just broke I would’ve missed out on the quick shift if I dint buy it). I’ve ever only gotten a ticket once before in my life. I will wait for the letter and then I’ll come back and post it here. But I’ve posted the one I got today for you guys to have a look.

 

[enyoueffsea]

Just to clarify, when you were stopped did you give your details or your friends?

Secondly, I make an assumption your friend was fully aware you were purchasing the tickets on their account?

 

[eva_daviva]

When I was stopped I wasn’t asked the details of my friend at all, she only took down my details and yes my friend is aware , I’ve called her today to inform her of what happened as well.

 

[eva_daviva]

Hi everyone,
I received a letter from southeastern about the ticket. I was asked to write back to provide further information about it. I have attached the better here for your advise. Could you please give me tips on how to go about it. I will also type up my letter and send it here before sending it off. Thank you

 

[AlterEgo]

The structure for the letter is in Post 4 here, once you have drafted it you can post it here to be checked.

 

[eva_daviva]

This is what I’m thinking of sending


Dear Southeastern,
I am writing in response to your letter regarding the incident that took place on 02 July 2025. I want to begin by expressing my sincere and sincere apology. I fully accept that what I did was wrong and it was entirely my fault. I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret the decision I made that day. I understand that it is my duty to ensure I have a valid ticket for travel, and I acknowledge that I failed to do so. There is no excuse for my behaviour, it was a serious bad in judgement and I completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I realise that actions like mine undermine the integrity of the railway system and place an unfair burden on paying passengers, and for that I am truly sorry. I assure you that this will never happen again. I have taken this experience very seriously and will make absolutely certain that I always travel with the correct and valid ticket going forward. I am kindly asking for the opportunity to make things right and to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am willing to cover any outstanding fares, administrative costs, or penalty fees that may apply. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I deeply regret my actions and respectfully ask for your understanding and leniency in this matter.
Yours faithfully

Please let me know what you think about this reply that I’m planning to send to them . If there’s anything that doesn’t sound good enough, please let me know I will happily correct it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==

This is what I’m thinking of sending


Dear Southeastern,
I am writing in response to your letter regarding the incident that took place on 02 July 2025. I want to begin by expressing my sincere and sincere apology. I fully accept that what I did was wrong and it was entirely my fault. I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret the decision I made that day. I understand that it is my duty to ensure I have a valid ticket for travel, and I acknowledge that I failed to do so. There is no excuse for my behaviour, it was a serious bad in judgement and I completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I realise that actions like mine undermine the integrity of the railway system and place an unfair burden on paying passengers, and for that I am truly sorry. I assure you that this will never happen again. I have taken this experience very seriously and will make absolutely certain that I always travel with the correct and valid ticket going forward. I am kindly asking for the opportunity to make things right and to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am willing to cover any outstanding fares, administrative costs, or penalty fees that may apply. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I deeply regret my actions and respectfully ask for your understanding and leniency in this matter.
Yours faithfully

Please let me know what you think about this reply that I’m planning to send to them . If there’s anything that doesn’t sound good enough, please let me know I will happily correct it.

 

[WesternLancer]

This is what I’m thinking of sending


Dear Southeastern,
I am writing in response to your letter regarding the incident that took place on 02 July 2025. I want to begin by expressing my sincere and sincere apology. I fully accept that what I did was wrong and it was entirely my fault. I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret the decision I made that day. I understand that it is my duty to ensure I have a valid ticket for travel, and I acknowledge that I failed to do so. There is no excuse for my behaviour, it was a serious bad in judgement and I completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I realise that actions like mine undermine the integrity of the railway system and place an unfair burden on paying passengers, and for that I am truly sorry. I assure you that this will never happen again. I have taken this experience very seriously and will make absolutely certain that I always travel with the correct and valid ticket going forward. I am kindly asking for the opportunity to make things right and to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am willing to cover any outstanding fares, administrative costs, or penalty fees that may apply. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I deeply regret my actions and respectfully ask for your understanding and leniency in this matter.
Yours faithfully

Please let me know what you think about this reply that I’m planning to send to them . If there’s anything that doesn’t sound good enough, please let me know I will happily correct it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==

This is what I’m thinking of sending


Dear Southeastern,
I am writing in response to your letter regarding the incident that took place on 02 July 2025. I want to begin by expressing my sincere and sincere apology. I fully accept that what I did was wrong and it was entirely my fault. I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret the decision I made that day. I understand that it is my duty to ensure I have a valid ticket for travel, and I acknowledge that I failed to do so. There is no excuse for my behaviour, it was a serious bad in judgement and I completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I realise that actions like mine undermine the integrity of the railway system and place an unfair burden on paying passengers, and for that I am truly sorry. I assure you that this will never happen again. I have taken this experience very seriously and will make absolutely certain that I always travel with the correct and valid ticket going forward. I am kindly asking for the opportunity to make things right and to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am willing to cover any outstanding fares, administrative costs, or penalty fees that may apply. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I deeply regret my actions and respectfully ask for your understanding and leniency in this matter.
Yours faithfully

Please let me know what you think about this reply that I’m planning to send to them . If there’s anything that doesn’t sound good enough, please let me know I will happily correct it.

Generally OK but think about

- breaking the key points up into paragraphs because that is easier to read - esp the last key bit requesting out of court settlement - make it easy to the reader to see what you are asking them if they would do

- include your ref number from them at the top

- possibly better to address it Dear Sir / Madam