So I've recently been rejected from a medical school because of my recent criminal conviction.
Back on 23rd August I was caught using my brothers 16-18 oyster card. I was honest to the ticket inspector when he ask whose it was. I sent an apology letter to TFL and also tried to settle the case out of court especially as this was a one time event and had no other convictions. This was unsuccessful. I was charged with using my brothers 16-18 oyster card on 12th November and pleaded guilty. I was subsequently charged with using a travel mandate issued for another person. This was contrary to regulation 7(1)b of the public service vehicles and the section 25(3) of the public passenger vehicles act 1981. I assumed I had a criminal record and therefore had to disclose this to the medical schools I applied for. Moreover, when I applied through UCAS I sent of my application declaring I had no spent or unspent convictions that would show up on a criminal records check. This initial application via ucas was sent off on 13th October prior to any charges. I then contacted each medical school to notify them about the change regarding the conviction questions. One if the four universities replied stating that I needed to include a statement of events alongside;
• Level of offence (warning, caution, conviction)
• An explanation as to why you believe you were given the sentence including costs
• What changes have you made to your life to move on from this situation?
• What did you learn from the experience?
I was given 7 days to reply alongside gaining a character reference. After I sent off the relevant information two days later I got a message from TFL case officer after I enquired what my conviction meant. TFL officer stated that "The offence that was committed is not recordable on the national criminal data base and is spent after a year.
The medical school said that my application will be withdrawn stating that it was recent and an deliberate act and I should write a reflective piece of how the incident has impacted me and the importance of honesty within the medical profession. However, they stated they will accept an application next year.
I've appealed on the grounds of irregularity of the procedure (the website states you can't appeal against academic judgement) as the website stated my statement of events would be considered alongside an enhanced DBS check additional with regards to new information (it was a none recordable offence). Furthermore, I stated that I was open and honest with the ticket officer and this procedure. My questions;
1. If it's not recorded on the criminal national database does that mean I don't have a criminal record.
2. If the university do the Enhanced DBS and there is nothing on it, then would that mean it has been filtered and wouldn't need to be disclosed, therefore the situation regarding the university would be redundant?
3. Does anyone know of any cases with this conviction or a byelaw (similar in the fact that it's non recordable) where an Enhanced DBS has been conducted and if there was anything found on it?
*I am aware that it maybe or may not be on it and is at the discretion of the police. I'm also aware that it probably won't show up basic as I found cases where nothing has been recorded.
Back on 23rd August I was caught using my brothers 16-18 oyster card. I was honest to the ticket inspector when he ask whose it was. I sent an apology letter to TFL and also tried to settle the case out of court especially as this was a one time event and had no other convictions. This was unsuccessful. I was charged with using my brothers 16-18 oyster card on 12th November and pleaded guilty. I was subsequently charged with using a travel mandate issued for another person. This was contrary to regulation 7(1)b of the public service vehicles and the section 25(3) of the public passenger vehicles act 1981. I assumed I had a criminal record and therefore had to disclose this to the medical schools I applied for. Moreover, when I applied through UCAS I sent of my application declaring I had no spent or unspent convictions that would show up on a criminal records check. This initial application via ucas was sent off on 13th October prior to any charges. I then contacted each medical school to notify them about the change regarding the conviction questions. One if the four universities replied stating that I needed to include a statement of events alongside;
• Level of offence (warning, caution, conviction)
• An explanation as to why you believe you were given the sentence including costs
• What changes have you made to your life to move on from this situation?
• What did you learn from the experience?
I was given 7 days to reply alongside gaining a character reference. After I sent off the relevant information two days later I got a message from TFL case officer after I enquired what my conviction meant. TFL officer stated that "The offence that was committed is not recordable on the national criminal data base and is spent after a year.
The medical school said that my application will be withdrawn stating that it was recent and an deliberate act and I should write a reflective piece of how the incident has impacted me and the importance of honesty within the medical profession. However, they stated they will accept an application next year.
I've appealed on the grounds of irregularity of the procedure (the website states you can't appeal against academic judgement) as the website stated my statement of events would be considered alongside an enhanced DBS check additional with regards to new information (it was a none recordable offence). Furthermore, I stated that I was open and honest with the ticket officer and this procedure. My questions;
1. If it's not recorded on the criminal national database does that mean I don't have a criminal record.
2. If the university do the Enhanced DBS and there is nothing on it, then would that mean it has been filtered and wouldn't need to be disclosed, therefore the situation regarding the university would be redundant?
3. Does anyone know of any cases with this conviction or a byelaw (similar in the fact that it's non recordable) where an Enhanced DBS has been conducted and if there was anything found on it?
*I am aware that it maybe or may not be on it and is at the discretion of the police. I'm also aware that it probably won't show up basic as I found cases where nothing has been recorded.