Hi guys
Just posting here for some advice. Before I continue; I'll be honest and make it clear - I did fare evade, but any knowledge on the matter or advice would be very grateful.
About 6 months ago I was caught on a c2c train with a ticket with a YP Railcard discount. I was fined £20, as I do not have a Railcard, and paid it the same day. Today, I purchased a return from Chafford Hundred (CFH) to Stanford-le-Hope (SLO) on the c2c line. I applied a YP discount from a self service ticket machine, but I do not have a Railcard at all.
Whilst on my return journey I was stopped by ticket inspectors on the train. I gave them all my details and failed to produce a Railcard. They checked through history and found out that I had done the same thing once before. I told them that I had left it at home, obviously I was lying. Instead of issuing me with a penalty fare, they told me that I would recieve a letter in the post to provide evidence of my Railcard, otherwise I will face the courts.
Could someone please give me some advice - should I buy a Railcard today? (ie. Would it still be valid.. and worth it?) If it went to court, would they win, what are the fines like (rough price) and is there custodial charges? If I bought the Railcard today, in their defence could they say that I bought it after the fine was issued, making it invalid? (Although technically I wasn't fined, but they withdrew my ticket from me).
I know what I did was wrong, but now I just need some advice on what to do - are there hefty fines, custodial charges etc.. do I have a leg to stand on, and would it be worth my while to buy a Railcard this evening?
Many thanks
Olleh
Just posting here for some advice. Before I continue; I'll be honest and make it clear - I did fare evade, but any knowledge on the matter or advice would be very grateful.
About 6 months ago I was caught on a c2c train with a ticket with a YP Railcard discount. I was fined £20, as I do not have a Railcard, and paid it the same day. Today, I purchased a return from Chafford Hundred (CFH) to Stanford-le-Hope (SLO) on the c2c line. I applied a YP discount from a self service ticket machine, but I do not have a Railcard at all.
Whilst on my return journey I was stopped by ticket inspectors on the train. I gave them all my details and failed to produce a Railcard. They checked through history and found out that I had done the same thing once before. I told them that I had left it at home, obviously I was lying. Instead of issuing me with a penalty fare, they told me that I would recieve a letter in the post to provide evidence of my Railcard, otherwise I will face the courts.
Could someone please give me some advice - should I buy a Railcard today? (ie. Would it still be valid.. and worth it?) If it went to court, would they win, what are the fines like (rough price) and is there custodial charges? If I bought the Railcard today, in their defence could they say that I bought it after the fine was issued, making it invalid? (Although technically I wasn't fined, but they withdrew my ticket from me).
I know what I did was wrong, but now I just need some advice on what to do - are there hefty fines, custodial charges etc.. do I have a leg to stand on, and would it be worth my while to buy a Railcard this evening?
Many thanks
Olleh