Notice of Intention to Prosecute

[kiuani]

Hello everyone, I have received a letter of Notice of intention to prosecute and I would like help in improving my response to GTR. I am aiming for an out of court settlement as I am 18 and wouldn’t like a criminal record.

I am writing to you with the utmost respect and sincerity regarding the letter I received from Govia Thameslink Railway dated 11 June 2025, reference : XXX . I was stopped at Welwyn Garden City on 10 March 2025 . I boarded the train before purchasing the ticket to get to college. I deeply regret and am sorry about to my failure to purchase a valid ticket before boarding one of your trains and also sincerely apologise for the losses I caused to the railway.
I wish to apologize in the sincerest and deepest manner possible for my actions that day, I had the hope that I could settle this outside of the court because I have really learned the rights and wrongs with this experience and I've been purchasing tickets in the proper way ever since and it would mean a great deal for my future.

Once more, I would like to say that I am deeply sorry for the troubles I brought about and thank you for reading my answer.

Kind regards
XXX
Any way this could be made better would be appreciated

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us their letter please, suitably redacted?

 

[kiuani]

Could you show us their letter please, suitably redacted?

 

[30907]

There is no need to over-egg the apology (deeply regret and am sorry about - one is enough).

You should mention paying GTR the fare and administrative costs, not just say "settle."

You could perhaps explain why (you now know that) boarding without paying for a ticket is wrong.

Have a look at posts by forum member Hadders and check thatvyou have covered those points.

More broadly: GTR will probably investigate your travel history - will they find instances when you have seemingly dodged paying the correct fare, or will it show that this was a one-off mistake?

 

[kiuani]

There is no need to over-egg the apology (deeply regret and am sorry about - one is enough).

Is this better ?
I deeply regret my failure to purchase a valid ticket before boarding one of your trains and also sincerely apologise for the losses I caused to the railway.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==

You should mention paying GTR the fare and administrative costs, not just say "settle."

I wish to apologize in the sincerest and deepest manner possible for my actions that day, I had the hope that I could settle this outside of the court willing to cover fare and administrative costs as I have really learned the rights and wrongs with this experience and I've been purchasing tickets in the proper way ever since

 

[AlterEgo]

Where were you travelling from and to? Did the ticket you eventually bought cover the full journey, or only part of it?

 

[kiuani]

Is this better ?
I deeply regret my failure to purchase a valid ticket before boarding one of your trains and also sincerely apologise for the losses I caused to the railway.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==


I wish to apologize in the sincerest and deepest manner possible for my actions that day, I had the hope that I could settle this outside of the court willing to cover fare and administrative costs as I have really learned the rights and wrongs with this experience and I've been purchasing tickets in the proper way ever since

I had the hope that I could settle this outside of the court willing to cover fare and administrative costs as I have really learned the rights and wrongs with this experience and the severity of my action and since then I've been purchasing tickets in the proper way

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==

Where were you travelling from and to? Did the ticket you eventually bought cover the full journey, or only part of it?

Welwyn north to Welwyn garden city, the ticket covered the journey, however it was a ticket for a journey right after 9 am, this ticket was however the same price as peak tickets

 

[AlterEgo]

Welwyn north to Welwyn garden city, the ticket covered the journey, however it was a ticket for a journey right after 9 am, this ticket was however the same price as peak tickets

But you live in Hitchin according to your location. I assume Hitchin's also the address you gave for them to write to you and will be on your booking details?

Did you short fare or not? Because the inspector probably thinks you did by purchasing a one stop ticket, which is likely why you have been reported for prosecution.

 

[kiuani]

But you live in Hitchin according to your location. I assume Hitchin's also the address you gave for them to write to you and will be on your booking details?

Did you short fare or not? Because the inspector probably thinks you did by purchasing a one stop ticket, which is likely why you have been reported for prosecution.

The inspector sent me a letter because at the time I thought I didn’t no anything wrong as I still bought the ticket so I asked them if I could have a letter sent so I can explain what happened instead of receiving a fine, I later investigated and became aware it was an offence to travel before buying the ticket

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==

But you live in Hitchin according to your location.

I sometimes get a bus or get dropped off, that day I was dropped off near Welwyn north station as I wouldn’t have made it on time by vehicle

 

[AlterEgo]

The inspector sent me a letter because at the time I thought I didn’t no anything wrong as I still bought the ticket so I asked them if I could have a letter sent so I can explain what happened instead of receiving a fine, I later investigated and became aware it was an offence to travel before buying the ticket

They can't penalty fare you for buying the ticket after departure, the only disposal available is a report for prosecution.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==


I sometimes get a bus or get dropped off, that day I was dropped off near Welwyn north station as I wouldn’t have made it on time by vehicle

Doesn’t make any sense. It’s at most a ten minute drive between the two stations (and then a walk for you to your actual destination). Nearest college is a ten minute walk from Garden City station, back towards Welwyn North. Can't possibly be quicker to do that, or make any sense money-wise.

Be aware the company may (or may not) audit all your online transactions and they will probably conclude that you've been short faring from Hitchin, unless you are able to evidence otherwise.

They have seen and heard it all before, as have we. Of course it's a one stop ticket, the shortest and cheapest possible journey which will open the barriers. You live much further away but you get a lift in nearly all the way but then decide to change modes, wait, and take a train while paying the fare from there. It's all very unlikely even if it isn't impossible.

Short faring is not the end of the world and this is a judgment free zone - but if you've done it you need to be honest about it. If the company feels you're not being honest with them they will just prosecute you. Think about how it looks.

 

[enyoueffsea]

Solved

Hello, I’m here to be help to my mate who received a Govia Thameslink prosecution notice ticket due to not having a valid ticket for his journey(letter not arrived yet) my friend starting to attend college(this September) out of town started using train travel more frequently and due to...

www.railforums.co.uk

If your ‘friend’ was actually you, you’re going to really struggle to convince GTR not to prosecute.

 

[AlterEgo]

Solved

Hello, I’m here to be help to my mate who received a Govia Thameslink prosecution notice ticket due to not having a valid ticket for his journey(letter not arrived yet) my friend starting to attend college(this September) out of town started using train travel more frequently and due to...

www.railforums.co.uk

If your ‘friend’ was actually you, you’re going to really struggle to convince GTR not to prosecute.

It's actually this person's third report for prosecution.

Of course they were caught short faring before, and claimed in this thread they only just researched online that buying tickets after departure was problematic - but of course they did know this already, as we can see from the second thread of theirs here:

Risk of a second prosecution letter

I am writing to ask if it is possible to ask for a fine instead after receiving a witness statement. I have received a letter for prosecution before but thankfully I got the letter asking to pay a fine straight away without needing to ask for an out of court settlement, however today I boarded a...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[kiuani]

Short faring is not the end of the world and this is a judgment free zone - but if you've done it you need to be honest about it. If the company feels you're not being honest with them they will just prosecute you. Think about how it looks.

I have short faired and this is the second time, I only didn’t want to mention it here and in my draft that I did as I was afraid because I got in trouble for it before I would be incriminating myself which I saw a lot of people in the forum advise against, I am aware that I would still have to be honest if asked about it, I just didn’t want to say it here on this thread as it would be embarrassing that I still didn’t sort out my financial problems back then and learned my lesson but now I know the only people who could help me get out of this mess are the people in this forum, sorry

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==

It's actually this person's third report for prosecution

This is the second time, the previous post was about the letter on this post

 

[AlterEgo]

I have short faired and this is the second time, I only didn’t want to mention it here and in my draft that I did as I was afraid because I got in trouble for it before I would be incriminating myself which I saw a lot of people in the forum advise against, I am aware that I would still have to be honest if asked about it, I just didn’t want to say it here on this thread as it would be embarrassing that I still didn’t sort out my financial problems back then and learned my lesson but now I know the only people who could help me get out of this mess are the people in this forum, sorry

They already know you've been short faring. They won't have forgotten the first time they caught you, nor would they believe the fanciful explanation. So it is better to be honest about things. However we don't see many people with two reports so can't say how GTR will treat you given you've been caught doing exactly the same thing as before. They will probably audit all your transactions this time and want the full value from Hitchin for each and every instance you've bought tickets from Welwyn North. However, you might still get lucky - they don't *always* do this!

 

[kiuani]

sorry

For lying about it till this time

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jun 2025 ==

They already know you've been short faring. They won't have forgotten the first time they caught you, nor would they believe the fanciful explanation. So it is better to be honest about things. However we don't see many people with two reports so can't say how GTR will treat you given you've been caught doing exactly the same thing as before. They will probably audit all your transactions this time and want the full value from Hitchin for each and every instance you've bought tickets from Welwyn North. However, you might still get lucky - they don't *always* do this!

Thank you for the warning and accepting my apology
Do you have any advice on how I could change my letter to be better?

 

[ikcdab]

You clearly need to be completely up front about what you did. Just explain that on simple terms. Just say that you were travelling from Hitchen to Welwyn Garden City but you short fared and only bought a ticket from Welwyn North. Then you apologise, express regret and ask for the settlement.
Normally we wouldn't suggest you incriminate yourself, but as this is the second time, you need to be totally up front to avoid prosecution.

 

[RailKnight786]

Always try to reach for an out of court settlement which you may be offered if you cooperate. This will be expensive most likely, but much better than a prosecution.

 

[enyoueffsea]

Normally we wouldn't suggest you incriminate yourself, but as this is the second time, you need to be totally up front to avoid prosecution

Agreed.

 

[kiuani]

I am writing to you with the utmost respect and sincerity regarding the letter I received from Govia Thameslink Railway dated 11 June 2025, reference : XXX . I was stopped at Welwyn Garden City on 10 March 2025 . I boarded the train with a ticket of Hitchin to Stevenage before purchasing the ticket at Welwyn North to get to college. I deeply regret and am sorry at my failure to purchase a ticket valid for the whole journey before boarding one of your trains and also sincerely apologise for the losses I caused to the railway.

I wish to apologize in the sincerest and deepest manner possible for my actions that day, I had the hope that I could settle this outside of the court willing to cover fare and administrative costs as I have really learned the rights and wrongs with the railway laws in this experience and the severity of my actions and since then I've been purchasing tickets in the proper way, this would mean a great deal for my future.

Once more, I would like to say that I am deeply sorry for the troubles I brought about and thank you for reading my answer.

Kind regards

XXX

Is this fine?

 

[kiuani]

This will be expensive most likely

Is this going to be over £1,000 because I really wouldn’t be able to pay this myself I’m just 18

 

[AlterEgo]

Is this going to be over £1,000 because I really wouldn’t be able to pay this myself I’m just 18

How many times have you evaded the fare?

 

[WesternLancer]

Is this going to be over £1,000 because I really wouldn’t be able to pay this myself I’m just 18

They will want the money for the fares you have not paid. An out of court settlement is not a fine it’s a sum they calculate that you have evaded paying in the first place. So if you have evaded more than a £1k they could ask for more than £1k

You need to stop doing this or they will prosecute you. You are stealing from them after all.

 

[kiuani]

They will want the money for the fares you have not paid. An out of court settlement is not a fine it’s a sum they calculate that you have evaded paying in the first place. So if you have evaded more than a £1k they could ask for more than £1k

You need to stop doing this or they will prosecute you. You are stealing from them after all.

I only short fared a few times before my first letter and didn’t do it again after I got the letter, the only time after is this incident for this letter and the only time this year

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2025 ==

if you have evaded more than a £1k they could ask for more than £1k

I have not evaded anywhere near that amount of times so is it possible that the fine will be kept below this amount?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2025 ==

I am writing to you with the utmost respect and sincerity regarding the letter I received from Govia Thameslink Railway dated 11 June 2025, reference : XXX . I was stopped at Welwyn Garden City on 10 March 2025 . I boarded the train with a ticket of Hitchin to Stevenage before purchasing the ticket at Welwyn North to get to college. I deeply regret and am sorry at my failure to purchase a ticket valid for the whole journey before boarding one of your trains and also sincerely apologise for the losses I caused to the railway.

I wish to apologize in the sincerest and deepest manner possible for my actions that day, I had the hope that I could settle this outside of the court willing to cover fare and administrative costs as I have really learned the rights and wrongs with the railway laws in this experience and the severity of my actions and since then I've been purchasing tickets in the proper way, this would mean a great deal for my future.

Once more, I would like to say that I am deeply sorry for the troubles I brought about and thank you for reading my answer.

Kind regards

XXX

Is this fine?

Is this fine to send? I need advice as I’m travelling abroad this evening for a few days and really want to send it off without it clouding my mind

 

[AlterEgo]

What did you send them the first time? Because they’ll have access to that as well. Did you send the same thing before?

 

[kiuani]

What did you send them the first time? Because they’ll have access to that as well. Did you send the same thing before?

No they just gave me a fine

 

[GadgetMan]

No they just gave me a fine

We're you under the age of 18 last time?

If so, your experience (their approach) this time may be a little different.

 

[ikcdab]

I think you need to be clearer about the offence. I would say
I was travelling from Hitchen to Welwyn Garden City. However I had only bought a ticket from Hitchen to Stevenage and another from Welwyn North to Welwyn Garden City where I was stopped.


Whilst the rest of the letter is a little over the top, in general terms its fine.

 

[enyoueffsea]

I only short fared a few times before my first letter and didn’t do it again after I got the letter, the only time after is this incident for this letter and the only time this year

You’re really going to need to start being totally honest unless you want this to result in a prosecution. The likelihood of you being caught by an RPI the very first time you short fared after your first incident last year is remarkably slim.

You’re already going to be on tricky ground with GTR in the fact you’ve been caught twice in 6 months and clearly didn’t learn much from the first time.

They will have access to all of your booking history. Will they see any other tickets purchased that could be questionable (either Hitchin to Stevenage or Welwyn North to Garden City)? If any of those tickets exist, your response will need amending as you are suggesting it was a one off with some of the wording.

 

[WesternLancer]

I only short fared a few times before my first letter and didn’t do it again after I got the letter, the only time after is this incident for this letter and the only time this year

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2025 ==


I have not evaded anywhere near that amount of times so is it possible that the fine will be kept below this amount?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2025 ==


Is this fine to send? I need advice as I’m travelling abroad this evening for a few days and really want to send it off without it clouding my mind

A court fine will not be as high as £1k no. It’s also related to your income.

As I explained the railway will not fine you. They want the money you have evaded paying. Plus c£150 for the nuisance you are causing them. When they get fed up of your nuisance they will take you to court I expect.

 

[kiuani]

They will have access to all of your booking history. Will they see any other tickets purchased that could be questionable (either Hitchin to Stevenage or Welwyn North to Garden City)? If any of those tickets exist, your response will need amending as you are suggesting it was a one off with some of the wording.

I have tickets going from Hitchin to Stevenage quite a lot due to work but that’s it, every other ticket would be to Welwyn Garden from hitchin, it was a one off