Warning for Prosecution - Draft letter

[mgarippa]

Here is my draft letter: I also have all the evidence of the railcard, proof of purchase, my tickets and the reference number, and what trains I took (except coming back).



Dear Prosecutions Team at Great Western Railway,


I am writing to you to apologise for the delayed responses regarding my Penalty Fare issued on the 15/03/2026 and would like to resolve my further issued warning of prosecution out of court.

I had travelled from London Bridge to Brighton that day, purchasing a super off-peak day return (THK - 12:58, BTN - 14:09) with my 16-25 railcard (No. 12ZMA104330561X). I have no evidence of the time or train I took on my way to London except I know it was in the evening (8 pm).

When the ticket inspector came and requested to see my railcard, it was not downloaded on my app and I couldn’t find it. I had purchased it a couple months before in December last year so I knew it was still valid. Unfortunately, my phone is very old and the train is not great for signal, so I couldn’t show my railcard.

I have a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism and struggle with multiple stresses and tasks especially when they are all important. I sent in an appeal in April when I saw the second letter, this period was some of the busiest of my university degree as well as present. Due to my being gone for the month of April, I only saw the rejected appeal letter when I came back, which is when I received the warning of prosecution on the 11th of May.

I am in a position where I am not financially capable of being able to pay for this penalty due to my position as a student with no employment or reliable income. I am also days away from submitting my final project for my degree. When I was issued this Penalty Fare it was during the time I had to plan, save up and prepare for the months of work to come. In April, I spent the month on a road trip filming for my final, as well as most of my savings.

I would like for you to understand these mitigating circumstances of my situation, of which I regret not getting into contact sooner. I had a valid railcard for my ticket as well as being on the correct train, just couldn’t find it on my phone (I have it on there now to avoid another incident). I deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused by my lack of communication, please know that these past few months have been excessively difficult for me to try and balance everything.

It was never my intention to miscommunicate and ignore the penalty fare letters and continue this dispute for months later. I understand the severity of invalid tickets and its repercussions, but at this time I do not believe my circumstance lies amongst intended ticket evasion, nor do I have the efficient funds to pay the £150.

 

[mgarippa]

Dear Prosecutions Team at Great Western Railway,


I am writing to you to apologise for the delayed responses regarding my Penalty Fare issued on the 15/03/2026 and would like to resolve my further issued warning of prosecution out of court.

I had travelled from London Bridge to Brighton that day, purchasing a super off peak day return (THK - 12:58, BTN - 14:09) with my 16-25 railcard (No. 12ZMA104330561X). I have no evidence of the time or train I took on my way to London except I know it was in the evening (8pm).

When the ticket inspector came and requested to see my railcard, it was not downloaded on my app and I couldn’t find it. I had purchased it a couple months before in December last year so I knew it was still valid. Unfortunately, my phone is very old and the train is not great for signal, so I couldn’t show my railcard.

I have a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism and struggle with multiple stresses and tasks especially when they are all important. I sent in an appeal in April when I saw the second letter, this period was some of the busiest of my university degree as well as present. Due to my being gone for the month of April, I only saw the rejected appeal letter when I came back, which is when I received the warning of prosecution on the 11th of May.

I am in a position where I am not financially capable of being able to pay for this penalty due to my position as a student with no employment or reliable income. I am also days away from submitting my final project for my degree. When I was issued this Penalty Fare it was during the time I had to plan, save up and prepare for the months of work to come. In April, I spent the month on a road trip filming for my final, as well as most of my savings.

I would like for you to understand these mitigating circumstances of my situation, of which I regret not getting into contact sooner. I had a valid railcard for my ticket as well as being on the correct train, just couldn’t find it on my phone (I have it on there now to avoid another incident). I deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused by my lack of communication, please know that these past few months have been excessively difficult for me to try and balance everything.

It was never my intention to miscommunicate and ignore the penalty fare letters and continue this dispute for months later. I understand the severity of invalid tickets and its repercussions, but at this time I do not believe my circumstance lies amongst intended ticket evasion, nor do I have the efficient funds to pay the £150.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I'm not sure what you're asking here.

Look at the sticky then come back to the thread and give the information asked for in the sticky.

But based on a cursory read, you received a Penalty Fare and you failed to appeal or pay it. They can then bring a prosecution. If you have evidence you did have a valid railcard you could write back to them with that evidence. There are provisions for where someone forgets their railcard (which can include where a railcard can't be shown on an app).

But if, on further reflection, you didn't have a railcard when you were stopped, the best advice would be to cough up.

If you did submit an appeal (and I can't work out if you did or did not) then provide the details. It is a contentious area of law as to whether they can bring a prosecution if someone has appealed a Penalty Fare.

 

[WesternLancer]

Dear Prosecutions Team at Great Western Railway,


I am writing to you to apologise for the delayed responses regarding my Penalty Fare issued on the 15/03/2026 and would like to resolve my further issued warning of prosecution out of court.

I had travelled from London Bridge to Brighton that day, purchasing a super off peak day return (THK - 12:58, BTN - 14:09) with my 16-25 railcard (No. 12ZMA104330561X). I have no evidence of the time or train I took on my way to London except I know it was in the evening (8pm).

When the ticket inspector came and requested to see my railcard, it was not downloaded on my app and I couldn’t find it. I had purchased it a couple months before in December last year so I knew it was still valid. Unfortunately, my phone is very old and the train is not great for signal, so I couldn’t show my railcard.

I have a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism and struggle with multiple stresses and tasks especially when they are all important. I sent in an appeal in April when I saw the second letter, this period was some of the busiest of my university degree as well as present. Due to my being gone for the month of April, I only saw the rejected appeal letter when I came back, which is when I received the warning of prosecution on the 11th of May.

I am in a position where I am not financially capable of being able to pay for this penalty due to my position as a student with no employment or reliable income. I am also days away from submitting my final project for my degree. When I was issued this Penalty Fare it was during the time I had to plan, save up and prepare for the months of work to come. In April, I spent the month on a road trip filming for my final, as well as most of my savings.

I would like for you to understand these mitigating circumstances of my situation, of which I regret not getting into contact sooner. I had a valid railcard for my ticket as well as being on the correct train, just couldn’t find it on my phone (I have it on there now to avoid another incident). I deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused by my lack of communication, please know that these past few months have been excessively difficult for me to try and balance everything.

It was never my intention to miscommunicate and ignore the penalty fare letters and continue this dispute for months later. I understand the severity of invalid tickets and its repercussions, but at this time I do not believe my circumstance lies amongst intended ticket evasion, nor do I have the efficient funds to pay the £150.

Has this been sent to the railway company?

If so it’s too late but it could have benefitted from various improvements and amendments.

If it’s not yet been sent I would suggest not sending it in it’s current form unless you have an immediate deadline to send it by.

 

[SECR 65]

Welcome,
Would you be able to upload what you recieved from GWR to the forum, so we can have a look, with personal details redacted?

This will help us to advice about your reply. My first feeling is that it may be beneficial to shorten it somewhat, so it is easy for them to read, but I understand your inclination to explain everything.

 

[Trainman40083]

I am still wonder where Great Western Railway came in, travelling between London Bridge and Brighton. Been a long day

 

[WesternLancer]

Here is my draft letter: I also have all the evidence of the railcard, proof of purchase, my tickets and the reference number, and what trains I took (except coming back).



Dear Prosecutions Team at Great Western Railway,


I am writing to you to apologise for the delayed responses regarding my Penalty Fare issued on the 15/03/2026 and would like to resolve my further issued warning of prosecution out of court.

I had travelled from London Bridge to Brighton that day, purchasing a super off-peak day return (THK - 12:58, BTN - 14:09) with my 16-25 railcard (No. 12ZMA104330561X). I have no evidence of the time or train I took on my way to London except I know it was in the evening (8 pm).

When the ticket inspector came and requested to see my railcard, it was not downloaded on my app and I couldn’t find it. I had purchased it a couple months before in December last year so I knew it was still valid. Unfortunately, my phone is very old and the train is not great for signal, so I couldn’t show my railcard.

I have a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism and struggle with multiple stresses and tasks especially when they are all important. I sent in an appeal in April when I saw the second letter, this period was some of the busiest of my university degree as well as present. Due to my being gone for the month of April, I only saw the rejected appeal letter when I came back, which is when I received the warning of prosecution on the 11th of May.

I am in a position where I am not financially capable of being able to pay for this penalty due to my position as a student with no employment or reliable income. I am also days away from submitting my final project for my degree. When I was issued this Penalty Fare it was during the time I had to plan, save up and prepare for the months of work to come. In April, I spent the month on a road trip filming for my final, as well as most of my savings.

I would like for you to understand these mitigating circumstances of my situation, of which I regret not getting into contact sooner. I had a valid railcard for my ticket as well as being on the correct train, just couldn’t find it on my phone (I have it on there now to avoid another incident). I deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused by my lack of communication, please know that these past few months have been excessively difficult for me to try and balance everything.

It was never my intention to miscommunicate and ignore the penalty fare letters and continue this dispute for months later. I understand the severity of invalid tickets and its repercussions, but at this time I do not believe my circumstance lies amongst intended ticket evasion, nor do I have the efficient funds to pay the £150.

As mentioned it would be helpful if you could tell us the answers to these questions from the forum header here (worth having a read of this in full if you have not already seen it)

Please read before posting in Disputes & Prosecutions

Guidance for those asking for advice: Please bear in mind the following, when asking for advice in this section: We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example: The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey The stations* where you changed...

www.railforums.co.uk

Specifically

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations where you actually started & finished your journey
  • The stations where you changed trains (if applicable);
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held;
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details blanked out eg your name and address and any ref numbers) with your post.
• We need to know what outcome(s) you would consider satisfactory

This will help people here give you the best advice and also suggest amendments to your draft to improve it before you send it.

However, if you were originally issued with a Penalty Fare, this could have been voided by appealing and showing a valid Railcard at the time (or within 21 days IIRC), or resolved by paying it at the discounted rate of £50 within 21 days.
I have to say that although you were busy with your degree work, none of that would seem to take that much time to have done at the time.

So I fear they won't much care about those reasons now, and the significant risk is they will escalate this to court - the sums you have to pay will then be significantly greater, and it will be a debt that the court will collect - which means that if it's not paid it will end up in the hands of court bailiffs who will eventually find you and will find a way to obtain that money from you.

Anything you can do to prevent that now is in your best interests.

I realise this isn't what you are going to want to hear, and you have my sympathy

People here will help you try and get the least worst outcome possible at this stage, but will need the info above to do this most effectively.

 

[FuzzyDuck]

I'm guessing the OP is getting GWR and GTR mixed up, as the only TOC between these two stations is Thameslink.

 

[WesternLancer]

I'm guessing the OP is getting GWR and GTR mixed up, as the only TOC between these two stations is Thameslink.

Yes. I think this too.

If the OP had a valid railcard and was issued with a penalty fare, and made an appeal that included proof of the railcard, then so long as that appeal was submitted in time ie within 21 days of the incident, then the Appeal should have been granted.

We need to see copies of earlier responses, specifically the appeal responses, to understand clearly why the appeal wasn’t granted and thus why money is still being asked for.

Without that it’s difficult to give useful advice.

Though the op should double check they are writing to the correct railway company.

And if this is GTR / Thameslink / Southern they may have to post their letter to the Prosecutions / Revenue protection office at Kings Cross hard copy and signed.
If this is the case we would advise posting it tracked postage from a post office so that delivery can be proved.