Thameslink witness statement

[tryitless]

Hello everyone
So, I did a stupid thing today and travelled (with Thameslink) with a ticket I’d bought at a railcard price (Jobcentre Discount Card) without actually having the card (I do not have one). This results in saving £3 on my short journey.
I’ve done this 7 times previously without being caught but got stopped by a revenue officer at my destination. They asked me the usual questions and I lied (again, stupid) and said that I didn’t have the card with me.

The officer gave me a witness statement and directed me to a website to upload evidence of the railcard within the next 14 days, which I obviously can’t do.

Should I upload a letter of apology, acknowledging that I did the wrong thing and ask that they consider allowing me to settle out of court, or wait until I actually get an Intent To Prosecute or SJNP letter?

I don’t have any history of penalty fares or anything - I think I had one once, like 15 years ago. I know I’m 100% in the wrong here and I do want to make it right, I just desperately don’t want it to go to court as it would probably mean the end of my current job.

 

[z444z]

Welcome. We have seen a successful outcome in a recent case where the OP uploaded an apologetic response to the railcard form, and posted it to GTR. I’ve linked it below. Could you draft a similar (but tailored to your circumstances, and ideally in your own words as much as possible) response and send it here for us to review?

GTR - railcard ticket - no railcard

Grateful for any advice here. On Friday i travelled from Victoria to Eastbourne. i bought my ticket at the machine in Victoria and added the railcard (which i thought was valid). When i arrived at Eastbourne all tickets were being checked by inspectors, they asked to see my railcard, which i...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[furlong]

Should I upload a letter of apology, acknowledging that I did the wrong thing and ask that they consider allowing me to settle out of court

Yes.

For your information, the railcard you picked is very rare and so most staff will insist on seeing it and not at all be surprised to hear excuses yet again...

 

[tryitless]

Thank you for your responses!

How is this for a first draft:

'I am writing in response to a witness statement I received at St Albans railway station on Friday 13 February.

I purchased a ticket on that day with a railcard that I do not have, which was wrong and I feel very embarrassed about my actions. I understand abusing railcards that I am not entitled to is dishonest and negatively impacts my fellow travellers, and I am certainly now ashamed enough to never do such a thing again.

I would be grateful if I were allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all costs incurred to resolve this matter out of court.'

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for your responses!

How is this for a first draft:

'I am writing in response to a witness statement I received at St Albans railway station on Friday 13 February.

I purchased a ticket on that day with a railcard that I do not have, which was wrong and I feel very embarrassed about my actions. I understand abusing railcards that I am not entitled to is dishonest and negatively impacts my fellow travellers, and I am certainly now ashamed enough to never do such a thing again.

I would be grateful if I were allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all costs incurred to resolve this matter out of court.'

Only upload a response that actually explains in it why you are not uploading what you have been asked to upload or there is a risk it might just get ignored.

Otherwise it might be better to wait until they contact you.

See the draft in that other thread

Specifically post 10 in that thread.

 

[tryitless]

2nd draft:
'
I am writing in response to a witness statement I received at St Albans railway station on Friday 13th February.

When asked, I was unable to show evidence of the railcard I had used to buy a cheaper ticket that morning.
I purchased a ticket with a railcard that I do not have, which was wrong and I feel very embarrassed about doing this.
I was asked to upload evidence of the railcard to this site, but as I do not have one I'm uploading this letter instead.
I understand abusing a railcard for a discount that I am not entitled to is dishonest and negatively impacts my fellow travellers, and I am certainly now ashamed enough to never do this again.

I would be grateful if I were allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all costs incurred to resolve this matter out of court.

 

[WesternLancer]

2nd draft:
'
I am writing in response to a witness statement I received at St Albans railway station on Friday 13th February.

When asked, I was unable to show evidence of the railcard I had used to buy a cheaper ticket that morning.
I purchased a ticket with a railcard that I do not have, which was wrong and I feel very embarrassed about doing this.
I was asked to upload evidence of the railcard to this site, but as I do not have one I'm uploading this letter instead.
I understand abusing a railcard for a discount that I am not entitled to is dishonest and negatively impacts my fellow travellers, and I am certainly now ashamed enough to never do this again.

I would be grateful if I were allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all costs incurred to resolve this matter out of court.

I suggest more like the following - hope you can see the relatively modest edits I'm suggesting
In addition - if there is something you can do to legitimately reduce your fares (perhaps a network Railcard or another railcard if you meet the - usually age related - criteria for one of them) then that is something you could do that would show them you have done to legitimatise your discounted travel in future.

Hope you feel this might help as below

------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Sir / Madam

Your Ref: [insert ref number from any paperwork you were given / the witness statement]

I am writing in response to a witness statement I received at St Albans railway station on Friday 13th February when I was questioned about my train ticket.

When asked, I was unable to show evidence of the railcard I had used to buy a cheaper my ticket that morning.

I was asked to upload evidence of the railcard to this site, but I regret to say that I purchased a ticket with a railcard that I do not have, which was wrong and I feel very embarrassed about doing this.

I am therefore I do not have one I'm uploading this letter instead.

I understand that using abusing a railcard for a discount that I am not entitled to is dishonest and negatively impacts my fellow travellers, and I am certainly now ashamed enough to never do this again.

I would be grateful if I were allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all costs incurred to resolve this matter without legal action. out of court.

I can be contacted by e-mail on: xxxx
and by post at: xxxxxxxxxxxx

Yours faithfully

 

[tryitless]

Thank you, those edits do make it more concise. The Network railcard is a good suggestion too.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you, those edits do make it more concise. The Network railcard is a good suggestion too.

If you do buy one you could mention it in very simple terms eg. ‘I have now bought a Network Railcard serial number xxxx in order to reduce my fares in future’