SouthEastern Prosecution

[SillyTraveller]

Hi all,

I don’t with to sound sheepish & I will disclose my event and story soon but just so I can get a general idea of SouthEastern’s prosecution policy.

This is my first offence, I admitted I was in the wrong & that had not being paying my whole ticket cost for the last 6 weeks & I told the truth to the British Transport Police. He told me that as I told him the truth about it it might be likely they’d settle for an out of course settlement but couldn’t tell me as it’s individual cases.

he said that he will put on the statement that I was remorseful, and that I am but I am so scared what will happen next. I have read all of your posts to know they’ll write to me asking for my version of events, I know what I need to reply & am fully aware it requires me to be truthful and upfront, which I will be. But I still worry about facing prosecution.

I know it varies from each railway operator, I was keen to see what southeastern were like on out of court settlements.

thank you.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

On the basis of what we have seen here recently, SouthEastern are likely to offer you an out of court settlement. However, those recent cases have been for individual instances of fare-dodging, not for doing so for six weeks, so it’s possible they may want to take this case to court.

If the case does go to court and you lose, your punishment will be financial - you will be fined, and will also have to pay court costs, compensation and prosecution costs. Except in the most extraordinary circumstances - such as this being part of an extensive pattern of offending or you somehow aggravated the matter (maybe physically attacking the policeman) - you will not go to prison.

 

[SillyTraveller]

Thank you for replying.
The policeman seemed to think being honest, being remorseful and complying with them will likely be an out of court settlement but couldn’t say for sure. The southeastern guy also suggested this too. But as you say it’s a repeat offence for 6 weeks.

What I am unclear about is whether I need to declare to my governing body now or not.

 

[Bensonby]

Why were the BTP dealing with it? The BTP won’t be interested in settlements as they don’t work for a TOC. They just prosecute or take no further action.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Thank you for replying.
The policeman seemed to think being honest, being remorseful and complying with them will likely be an out of court settlement but couldn’t say for sure. The southeastern guy also suggested this too. But as you say it’s a repeat offence for 6 weeks.

What I am unclear about is whether I need to declare to my governing body now or not.

Please see my response on your other thread.

 

[Mag_seven]

Please use the existing thread for this discussion:

(1) British Transport Police - caution or interview under caution? Confused! | RailUK Forums (railforums.co.uk)

thanks