AsherImran
Member
Hi I have got a Single Justice Procedure notice initiated by Govia Thameslink Prosecutions
As it happened:
On 12 Feb, 2020 I had traveled to London Liverpool Street from my home town Bishops Stortford and the ticket I had was Bishops Stortford to London Terminals. I then walked to my destination which was around St. Paul’s.
On the way back I had to travel to Upton Park to see a friend so the route I decided to take was City Thameslink to Blackfriars (nextStation) and then switching to district line to Upton Park. And I intended to use my contractless card, however I only realised my mistake when I was on the train already that I had used my train ticket (London Terminals) in a hurry; and for some reason it had worked too. So I got off the train at Blackfriars and explained the whole thing to the gentleman at the barriers asking if there is a way I can use my contactless card as I had to traveller further to Upton Park.
and I was shocked to see 2 other guys approaching and started to take my details. I tried to explain my situation very politely and told them how it was an honest mistake but they didn’t listen a single bit and instead they said i don’t have a valid ticket and that I should pay a penalty fare £20 otherwise I will be prosecuted in court.
And although to me, as unfair as the penalty fare was given the circumstances I provided the gentlemen with, I still decided to pay the penalty fare on the spot in the hope of getting the matter closed and not escalated and paid it using my Debit Card i.e. £20 at the time of the incident i.e. 12 Feb 2020.
I did however appeal the penalty fare and requested it be refunded to me, as I thought it was unfair however my appeal was rejected by the Train company and that was the end of the matter for me. But perhaps I shouldn’t have done that as what happened next was I got a notice of penalty fare multiplied now stating that since I had not paid the penalty fare I now need to pay £20 plus another £20. I was quite certain it was a mistake so I replied to them stating the whole thing however I never got a reply back
Three week ago I got a SJPN to plead guilty or not guilty (to be followed by a trial) along with the fine now of £185 and the proof they sent was a copy of the (unpaid they mentioned) penalty fare issue notice which clearly has Issue Notice crossed out and Receipt ticked And it clearly says:
Amount Received : £20
You must pay: Nill
Also I have my bank statement which clearly shows the transaction of £20
The witness statement is clearly false; they say they informed me the matter will be escalated however what they in fact told me was, the matter was closed as I paid the penalty fare in full.
As a reply to the SJPN I have added the above details choosing “Not Guilty”. I have also written one more time to the train company’s prosecutions manager explaining the whole thing. However it’s been 20 days now and I haven’t heard back.
The hearing date is 5 Aug and I am worried sick what is going to happen now. I can’t afford to have a criminal record. I have been depressed and kicking myself I should’ve paid whatever they asked for again and should've got it done with.
Please see screenshots as well.
Any thoughts and guidance will be highly appreciated.
Apols for long read
As it happened:
On 12 Feb, 2020 I had traveled to London Liverpool Street from my home town Bishops Stortford and the ticket I had was Bishops Stortford to London Terminals. I then walked to my destination which was around St. Paul’s.
On the way back I had to travel to Upton Park to see a friend so the route I decided to take was City Thameslink to Blackfriars (nextStation) and then switching to district line to Upton Park. And I intended to use my contractless card, however I only realised my mistake when I was on the train already that I had used my train ticket (London Terminals) in a hurry; and for some reason it had worked too. So I got off the train at Blackfriars and explained the whole thing to the gentleman at the barriers asking if there is a way I can use my contactless card as I had to traveller further to Upton Park.
and I was shocked to see 2 other guys approaching and started to take my details. I tried to explain my situation very politely and told them how it was an honest mistake but they didn’t listen a single bit and instead they said i don’t have a valid ticket and that I should pay a penalty fare £20 otherwise I will be prosecuted in court.
And although to me, as unfair as the penalty fare was given the circumstances I provided the gentlemen with, I still decided to pay the penalty fare on the spot in the hope of getting the matter closed and not escalated and paid it using my Debit Card i.e. £20 at the time of the incident i.e. 12 Feb 2020.
I did however appeal the penalty fare and requested it be refunded to me, as I thought it was unfair however my appeal was rejected by the Train company and that was the end of the matter for me. But perhaps I shouldn’t have done that as what happened next was I got a notice of penalty fare multiplied now stating that since I had not paid the penalty fare I now need to pay £20 plus another £20. I was quite certain it was a mistake so I replied to them stating the whole thing however I never got a reply back
Three week ago I got a SJPN to plead guilty or not guilty (to be followed by a trial) along with the fine now of £185 and the proof they sent was a copy of the (unpaid they mentioned) penalty fare issue notice which clearly has Issue Notice crossed out and Receipt ticked And it clearly says:
Amount Received : £20
You must pay: Nill
Also I have my bank statement which clearly shows the transaction of £20
The witness statement is clearly false; they say they informed me the matter will be escalated however what they in fact told me was, the matter was closed as I paid the penalty fare in full.
As a reply to the SJPN I have added the above details choosing “Not Guilty”. I have also written one more time to the train company’s prosecutions manager explaining the whole thing. However it’s been 20 days now and I haven’t heard back.
The hearing date is 5 Aug and I am worried sick what is going to happen now. I can’t afford to have a criminal record. I have been depressed and kicking myself I should’ve paid whatever they asked for again and should've got it done with.
Please see screenshots as well.
Any thoughts and guidance will be highly appreciated.
Apols for long read
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