Witness Statement Receipt

[ninohatestomas]

I’m in a lot of distress I'm looking for some advice regarding a GTR witness statement receipt I received.

Here's the situation: I was caught by an inspector at Reigate Station.

but I had to forgot to tap in at Horley due to me being late for my train and the barriers being open and me rushing for an A-Level Exam which from there I had just intended to tap out and just take the maximum fare which I was completely ok with coming out my account where an inspector had let me tap with my card stating that my card was blocked The inspector took down my personal information I was then issued a GTR witness statement receipt with a reference number GTR will contact you in writing regarding the facts reported today and may pursue prosecution. All correspondence with GTR regarding this matter must be in writing to:



GTR prosecutions department

Eastside offices

Kings Cross railway station"



At the end, it also says, "This is not a penalty fare. GTR will write to you in due course."

He then said if the money is taken out my account the next day I should show that as evidence for my travel being valid? does anyone have advice on what to expect next? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would have just tapped my Oyster but those aren’t accepted past Redhill I just hope I don’t get taken to court and would be fine with a settlement instead, I’m intending on working in government job after university and would like to avoid a conviction as much as possible.

 

[WesternLancer]

I’m in a lot of distress I'm looking for some advice regarding a GTR witness statement receipt I received.

Here's the situation: I was caught by an inspector at Reigate Station.

but I had to forgot to tap in at Horley due to me being late for my train and the barriers being open and me rushing for an A-Level Exam which from there I had just intended to tap out and just take the maximum fare which I was completely ok with coming out my account where an inspector had let me tap with my card stating that my card was blocked The inspector took down my personal information I was then issued a GTR witness statement receipt with a reference number GTR will contact you in writing regarding the facts reported today and may pursue prosecution. All correspondence with GTR regarding this matter must be in writing to:



GTR prosecutions department

Eastside offices

Kings Cross railway station"



At the end, it also says, "This is not a penalty fare. GTR will write to you in due course."

He then said if the money is taken out my account the next day I should show that as evidence for my travel being valid? does anyone have advice on what to expect next? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would have just tapped my Oyster but those aren’t accepted past Redhill I just hope I don’t get taken to court and would be fine with a settlement instead, I’m intending on working in government job after university and would like to avoid a conviction as much as possible.

Welcome

Basically you need to wait for them to write to you, likely in hard copy, and then you can get advice from here on how to respond.
It’s vital you get their letter so hopefully you gave an address wher you can be reached in coming months.
It may be some time before you hear from them eg 6 to 8 weeks or more.

In the meantime you should log into your contactless card account over next few days and check what sums have been deducted for travel using the card.
Keep a record of what it says.

 

[ninohatestomas]

Ok I will thanks I’m just praying I don’t get a conviction I’m stressing a lot.

 

[furlong]

Firstly, A-level - are you already aged 18+?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 May 2026 ==

Also, not quite understanding what you are saying: Did the inspector check your card with their own device? And tell you it was blocked? Was it an actual card or a card loaded into your phone? Then log in / register the card on the TfL website and look at the card history to try to work out why it was blocked. Were there some previous maximum fares?

 

[SussexMan]

Ok I will thanks I’m just praying I don’t get a conviction I’m stressing a lot.

Provided you engage with them, based on the cases seen on this forum, there's a 0% chance of them prosecuting. They will agree a settlement. But you must engage so it is essential that you receive the letter you will be sent.

 

[pdsalford]

Prosecution is unlikely if you co-operate with them. But in the worst case scenario it is very unlikely to be a bar to the Civil Service providing you declare it when asked.

 

[AlterEgo]

Prosecution is unlikely if you co-operate with them. But in the worst case scenario it is very unlikely to be a bar to the Civil Service providing you declare it when asked.

The majority of civil servants do not need to declare spent convictions (this one if it ever happens would be spent after a year), and for most roles it would be unlawful for them to even ask you - you may even lawfully conceal spent convictions. It will be clear if the role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act in which case it must of course be declared.