After a few failed attempts and a little help from forumer "island" I'm posting this.
Please don't berate me as I am feeling pretty stupid and very low at the moment.
Here is what happened.
I boarded the train from Sheffield and fell asleep on the train (having not slept very well the previous night due to awful cold) - so didn't hear when the the conductor was checking tickets. Got off at Manchester Oxford road, realised I had forgotten my ticket at home, bought it at the station. Now here is what I did wrong - instead of buying tickets from Sheffield, I bought it from Stockport. Was stopped by RPO as soon as I passed the barriers, and at that moment I realised the mistake I had made. I got flustered and went ahead with the story that my partner dropped me at Stockport and I was in a hurry and couldn't buy tickets there so bought it at Oxford road. The RPO didn't buy my story and asked a few questions - which exit did you arrive at and were there any stairs etc. I was feelign very ill by then and I really wanted to be not questioned any more - I told him the truth that I had got on from Sheffield and bought tickets from Stockport. He asked why - I said I don't know - to which he added "because it was cheaper"? I said yes. He asked for my name and address - I gave him my correct details. He didn't believe me and said that he needed to see my ID and I showed him a card. He made some phone calls and verified its accuracy and said I could go and that I will receive a letter. I recceived the letter last Friday and here is what it says -
On the 28th June you were spoken to by an authorised member of staff at Manchester Oxford Road with regard to an incident of: nonpayment of a rail fare. Before the office proceeds with the investigation of this matter we would like to give you an opportunity to respond to this matter, we would like to give you th opportunity to give an explanation concerning it. Please complete the bottom section ...
As you will appreciate this is a serious incident; therefore it is imperative that you do not hesiatate in contacting the Unit as soon as possible to ascertain the full facts of this matter. Failure to respond will result in legal action being taken (*Regulation of Railway Act and Railways Byelaws apply). I must inform you that should legal proceedings be invoked, in addition to any fines imposed byt he court, there will be an applciation for £150 as a contribution to our costs. Offences of this nature are recordable and should you be convicted you will get a criminal record.
*Railways and Tramways, Regulatio act 1889: ...
Railway Byelaw offences:...
I am completely mortified by this - I was not aware that this is a criminal offence. It was never my intention to evade payment and even now I cannot believe that I bought tickets from Stockport to save a few pounds. I realise that I was foolish and stupid and am extremely sorry. I had a lot on my mind, I was facing redundancy at work and only had a month to find another job, my mother was diagnosed with neuro degenenerative disease and overall I was feeling very stressed and depressed - just to describe my state of mind. Since then I have taken steps to ensure this lapse of judgement does not happen again - I have bought PhotoID weekly pass - even though I only travel 3-4 days.
This is my first offence of any nature - I have never been involved in a situation like this before and have so far had a clean track record all my life.
I would like to write a letter stating that I may be allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all the reasonable costs incurred by the company in order to preserve ymy good name by resolving this without court action.
Any idea what I else I should say in the letter?
Please don't berate me as I am feeling pretty stupid and very low at the moment.
Here is what happened.
I boarded the train from Sheffield and fell asleep on the train (having not slept very well the previous night due to awful cold) - so didn't hear when the the conductor was checking tickets. Got off at Manchester Oxford road, realised I had forgotten my ticket at home, bought it at the station. Now here is what I did wrong - instead of buying tickets from Sheffield, I bought it from Stockport. Was stopped by RPO as soon as I passed the barriers, and at that moment I realised the mistake I had made. I got flustered and went ahead with the story that my partner dropped me at Stockport and I was in a hurry and couldn't buy tickets there so bought it at Oxford road. The RPO didn't buy my story and asked a few questions - which exit did you arrive at and were there any stairs etc. I was feelign very ill by then and I really wanted to be not questioned any more - I told him the truth that I had got on from Sheffield and bought tickets from Stockport. He asked why - I said I don't know - to which he added "because it was cheaper"? I said yes. He asked for my name and address - I gave him my correct details. He didn't believe me and said that he needed to see my ID and I showed him a card. He made some phone calls and verified its accuracy and said I could go and that I will receive a letter. I recceived the letter last Friday and here is what it says -
On the 28th June you were spoken to by an authorised member of staff at Manchester Oxford Road with regard to an incident of: nonpayment of a rail fare. Before the office proceeds with the investigation of this matter we would like to give you an opportunity to respond to this matter, we would like to give you th opportunity to give an explanation concerning it. Please complete the bottom section ...
As you will appreciate this is a serious incident; therefore it is imperative that you do not hesiatate in contacting the Unit as soon as possible to ascertain the full facts of this matter. Failure to respond will result in legal action being taken (*Regulation of Railway Act and Railways Byelaws apply). I must inform you that should legal proceedings be invoked, in addition to any fines imposed byt he court, there will be an applciation for £150 as a contribution to our costs. Offences of this nature are recordable and should you be convicted you will get a criminal record.
*Railways and Tramways, Regulatio act 1889: ...
Railway Byelaw offences:...
I am completely mortified by this - I was not aware that this is a criminal offence. It was never my intention to evade payment and even now I cannot believe that I bought tickets from Stockport to save a few pounds. I realise that I was foolish and stupid and am extremely sorry. I had a lot on my mind, I was facing redundancy at work and only had a month to find another job, my mother was diagnosed with neuro degenenerative disease and overall I was feeling very stressed and depressed - just to describe my state of mind. Since then I have taken steps to ensure this lapse of judgement does not happen again - I have bought PhotoID weekly pass - even though I only travel 3-4 days.
This is my first offence of any nature - I have never been involved in a situation like this before and have so far had a clean track record all my life.
I would like to write a letter stating that I may be allowed to pay the outstanding fare and all the reasonable costs incurred by the company in order to preserve ymy good name by resolving this without court action.
Any idea what I else I should say in the letter?