TfL fare evasion – student Oyster misuse (before mitigation submitted) advice needed

[furlong]

I am concerned that a prosecution arising from this isolated lapse in judgement could have a significant impact on my future opportunities.

a conviction

 

[ravhe1]

a conviction

I understand when you have time could please look over my final draft please

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2026 ==

Apols. Loads of auto correct errors. Thanks for querying it

I meant to say basically if you can e mail it then you probably want to do that on Monday if you have it ready to do so.

I understand when you have time could please look over my final draft please

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2026 ==

It is not the case that TfL will "zone out" and not read a long letter. Our experience is they are professional and competent with dealing with multiple pieces of correspondence, mitigation, and references, and solicitors' letters.

Stealing an Oyster card and using it is dishonest, even if the theft was by finding (yes - this is theft, by law!) - this is worse really than "borrowing" a friend's card.

TfL will form the view that you are dishonest and would have offended further and continued to use the card had you not been stopped, and you allude to this as much by including your financial position. I think you should remove these parts. It is not really their concern that you lost your job or your debit card or have debts. They don't care about your internship or that a conviction may harm your career. That is the consequence of a criminal record for everyone.

What you need to show is why *you* should be treated differently to *nearly everyone else* - the default path here is that you are prosecuted for the offence in the magistrates' court. TfL prosecuted about 15,000 people last year, so about 50 people every working day. Bish bash bosh, it's easy for them I'm afraid.

What you can do is try to advance mitigation on medical grounds. You need to show, essentially, that:

- you have a disability or mental health condition at the time of the offence, and that

1) the circumstances of your health are so severe that a conviction would be utterly disproportionate and not in the public interest, or
2) the circumstances of your health are the reason, or a contributing factor, in your decision to evade fares

You need satisfactory medical proof from a medical expert in the relevant field, so a diagnosis letter is good, but a letter from a consultant for example explaining either of 1) or 2) above is ideal.

Hi I just realised I have a diagnosis but I won’t be able to get 1 of consultant explain 1 or 2 by Monday as it’s very short notice

 

[WesternLancer]

I understand when you have time could please look over my final draft please

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2026 ==


I understand when you have time could please look over my final draft please

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2026 ==


Hi I just realised I have a diagnosis but I won’t be able to get 1 of consultant explain 1 or 2 by Monday as it’s very short notice

I can see you’ve given it your best shot. It reads fine. But I just don’t know if this is what will persuade them not to prosecute.
The reason I don’t know is because we see very few cases where they don’t.
It’s fine to tell them you will send supporting documents later in my view. Better to say that than delay your reply.

Only thing I can think of is if there is anything in their policy where they state reasons they won’t prosecute that directly relates to you. If so reference it.

Eg ‘I believe your published policy says xx and I feel this is relevant because I am yy’

If that’s true of course.

Good luck!

 

[furlong]

Only thing I can think of is if there is anything in their policy where they state reasons they won’t prosecute that directly relates to you. If so reference it.
Eg ‘I believe your published policy says xx and I feel this is relevant because I am yy’

I wouldn't bother. The letter is already clear enough.

I don't think you told us how old you are yet? If you're young it can be worth making sure that's obvious.

 

[ravhe1]

I wouldn't bother. The letter is already clear enough.

I don't think you told us how old you are yet? If you're young it can be worth making sure that's obvious.

I just turned 23 however 2nd year of uni had to take years interrupted due to my mental health that’s documented via uni I’ve submitted all of these to them

 

[ravhe1]

I planned to send that draft and upload medical evidence , and hardship funding with those at my university that deal with this that is dated 2023,2024,2025 and then worry if I should include my internship offer letter or not.

I can see you’ve given it your best shot. It reads fine. But I just don’t know if this is what will persuade them not to prosecute.
The reason I don’t know is because we see very few cases where they don’t.
It’s fine to tell them you will send supporting documents later in my view. Better to say that than delay your reply.

Only thing I can think of is if there is anything in their policy where they state reasons they won’t prosecute that directly relates to you. If so reference it.

Eg ‘I believe your published policy says xx and I feel this is relevant because I am yy’

If that’s true of course.

Good luck!

 

[WesternLancer]

Hoping the OP can get something in and then in due course further advice from here as things develop.

 

[ravhe1]

Hoping the OP can get something in and then in due course further advice from here as things develop.

I sent it in hopefully all the medical evidence is enough

 

[therailone]

I sent it in hopefully all the medical evidence is enough

hii, I just wanted to ask if TfL got back to you and did they end up taking it to court? Kind of in a similar situation

 

[Haywain]

hii, I just wanted to ask if TfL got back to you and did they end up taking it to court? Kind of in a similar situation

If you have a problem you need help with please start your own thread. @ravhe1 hasn't visited the forum for quite some time, so isn't likely to see your post.