Benrailways
New Member
Hi All,
I’m looking for some advice regarding a Report for Prosecution that was given to me today by a representative of South Western Railways. Your advice would be very much appreciated as I’m spiralling a little bit at the thought of a court summons!
I travelled from Cobham to Waterloo and returned from Waterloo to Cobham.
In full transparency, there are no barriers at Cobham station, so I bought a Trainline ticket from Vauxhall to Waterloo. On my return, I purchased a ticket from Waterloo to Clapham, allowing me to go through the barriers at Waterloo.
On my return journey I was approached by a revenue protections team from South Western railway. In a bid to avoid a penalty fare and simply pay for a ticket, I told the officers that I was let through by a lady at Surbiton because I was in a rush to catch my train. The officer called my bluff and began to take details from me. I panicked and gave an incorrect name and address, of which, was immediately found to be a lie by the officer.
At this stage, I was told that I was very close to being reported for prosecution and to tell the truth. I then confessed my offence to the officer and gave him my correct details. When asked how I travelled to London on my outbound journey, I told the truth and said I bought a ticket from Vauxhall to Waterloo, thus, avoiding the full fare.
At this point, the officer informed me that he would be reporting the case to the SWR prosecutions team. I was informed that I would receive a letter in the post summoning me for an interview.
Contextual information:
1) Upon reading other forums, I have seen discussion regarding an ‘MG11’. I am unsure if the receipt I have been issued is an MG11 as this is not stated anywhere on my receipt. The receipt is titled “Report for Prosecution”.
2) The officer noted the references of the tickets from the Trainline app. I do not regularly travel on the trains and my previous tickets on the Trainline app demonstrate that this is not an offence I have committed before.
3) One of the officers was very kind, and seemed to empathise with my panicked state. I said something to the tune of “after disclosing the truth, I’ve been reported for prosecution and now face a criminal record”. He assured me not to worry and that if I tell the truth at the meeting, and am indeed not a regular offender, that it would likely be an administrative settlement.
4) It is worth noting that I have had encounters with a rail enforcement officer in the past. However, this was a few years ago, when I was under 18, and was not with SWR. There was no further action from this and I do not believe I even had to pay a penalty charge.
5) When searching my address on their system, they read my Brother’s name out. He has received a penalty charge notice that he has appealed but not paid yet. The officer asked for my proof of identity, in which I gave him my debit card with my name on it. The officer also made a comment of - “I think you have done this before and given your brother’s name”. For the record, I have not done this and made it clear that I would not stitch my own brother up!
I would be extremely grateful if anybody is able to answer my following questions:
1) On the whole, what are my chances of an out of court settlement? I am genuinely remorseful, and will enter any communication with humility and remorse, admitting to my mistakes and agreeing to never do them again.
2) Does the lack of an MG11 mean that an interview is a certainty? Or is there still a chance that I will be offered an out of court settlement without an interview?
3) Will it be noted that I initially tried to give false information? It was only when pressured that I told the truth. How badly does this affect my chances of an out of court settlement?
Thank you very much for your time in reading this. Your advice is much appreciated.
Many thanks
Ben
I’m looking for some advice regarding a Report for Prosecution that was given to me today by a representative of South Western Railways. Your advice would be very much appreciated as I’m spiralling a little bit at the thought of a court summons!
I travelled from Cobham to Waterloo and returned from Waterloo to Cobham.
In full transparency, there are no barriers at Cobham station, so I bought a Trainline ticket from Vauxhall to Waterloo. On my return, I purchased a ticket from Waterloo to Clapham, allowing me to go through the barriers at Waterloo.
On my return journey I was approached by a revenue protections team from South Western railway. In a bid to avoid a penalty fare and simply pay for a ticket, I told the officers that I was let through by a lady at Surbiton because I was in a rush to catch my train. The officer called my bluff and began to take details from me. I panicked and gave an incorrect name and address, of which, was immediately found to be a lie by the officer.
At this stage, I was told that I was very close to being reported for prosecution and to tell the truth. I then confessed my offence to the officer and gave him my correct details. When asked how I travelled to London on my outbound journey, I told the truth and said I bought a ticket from Vauxhall to Waterloo, thus, avoiding the full fare.
At this point, the officer informed me that he would be reporting the case to the SWR prosecutions team. I was informed that I would receive a letter in the post summoning me for an interview.
Contextual information:
1) Upon reading other forums, I have seen discussion regarding an ‘MG11’. I am unsure if the receipt I have been issued is an MG11 as this is not stated anywhere on my receipt. The receipt is titled “Report for Prosecution”.
2) The officer noted the references of the tickets from the Trainline app. I do not regularly travel on the trains and my previous tickets on the Trainline app demonstrate that this is not an offence I have committed before.
3) One of the officers was very kind, and seemed to empathise with my panicked state. I said something to the tune of “after disclosing the truth, I’ve been reported for prosecution and now face a criminal record”. He assured me not to worry and that if I tell the truth at the meeting, and am indeed not a regular offender, that it would likely be an administrative settlement.
4) It is worth noting that I have had encounters with a rail enforcement officer in the past. However, this was a few years ago, when I was under 18, and was not with SWR. There was no further action from this and I do not believe I even had to pay a penalty charge.
5) When searching my address on their system, they read my Brother’s name out. He has received a penalty charge notice that he has appealed but not paid yet. The officer asked for my proof of identity, in which I gave him my debit card with my name on it. The officer also made a comment of - “I think you have done this before and given your brother’s name”. For the record, I have not done this and made it clear that I would not stitch my own brother up!
I would be extremely grateful if anybody is able to answer my following questions:
1) On the whole, what are my chances of an out of court settlement? I am genuinely remorseful, and will enter any communication with humility and remorse, admitting to my mistakes and agreeing to never do them again.
2) Does the lack of an MG11 mean that an interview is a certainty? Or is there still a chance that I will be offered an out of court settlement without an interview?
3) Will it be noted that I initially tried to give false information? It was only when pressured that I told the truth. How badly does this affect my chances of an out of court settlement?
Thank you very much for your time in reading this. Your advice is much appreciated.
Many thanks
Ben
