Washed ticket altered to wrong date

Hi all

First time poster, long term rail commuter!

Looking for some advice following an idiotic incident from myself

I have had a Season Ticket (annual) for the last few years, travelling from Luton to London Thameslink.

My ticket ran out on the 28th August and returned from a long weekend away, I put my clothes through the wash (27th) including said ticket

I have a young family, and a particularly stressful job, however, I was convinced I had bought a new ticket and in a state of panic on Sunday night wrote in the date reading 28th Aug 2020 as I couldn't find the ticket nor had the transaction come through as my company usually pays for it.

On the 3rd I was travelling to London in the morning as usual and was stopped by an inspector, who immediately said this was not a valid ticket.

Upon questioning I stated the above and was given a 'nice try mate' despite this being an honest mistake

With an account of events taken, I immediately purchased a new season ticket

What advice can anyone give to this? Will I be prosecuted for the matter and have to take it on the chin or is there a way of settling out of court?

I've done a rough calculation in regards to cost of the tickets return for the period (even though I don't travel down on weekends) and this works out roughly 160.

Would I be able to settle at this and does anyone have any experience?

This is my first time in such an incident and I really don't want a record and am being completely genuine about the matter!

Thoughts appreciated

The company (GTR) might not believe this account and may well prosecute you. If GTR offer you an out of court settlement then I would take that instead of dealing with the hassle of going to court.

If prosecution is unavoidable, I'd contact solicitors who have experience in this area e.g. Penman Sedgwick.

Note: I have no connection with Penman Sedgwick, though several of their case studies relate to forum members' issues and I have had positive feedback about this company.

A Lim said:

Would I be able to settle at this and does anyone have any experience?

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It is possible to settle, though expect the amount to be quite a bit more than £160. I'd expect about £100 more in costs for a start.

I have to say, however, that your story is a little difficult to believe - most people in your situation would have bought a single ticket (or a return) and sorted it out at work.

A Lim said:

With an account of events taken, I immediately purchased a new season ticket

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If I understand your post, you altered the ticket on the 28th, and then used it until the 3rd. Can you give a good reason why you didn't sort it out sooner?

najaB said:

If I understand your post, you altered the ticket on the 28th, and then used it until the 3rd. Can you give a good reason why you didn't sort it out sooner?

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I suspect that it is just the easiest way to alter the dates as the ticket ran out on 28th previously so just the year needed changing.

But agreed that in my experience, no one is going to believe that story and dismiss as a mistake. The intention would have almost certainly been seen as deliberate.

A Lim said:

Upon questioning I stated the above and was given a 'nice try mate' despite this being an honest mistake
...
This is my first time in such an incident and I really don't want a record and am being completely genuine about the matter!

Thoughts appreciated

Click to expand...

These two sentences are totally contradictory. My. non-professional, opinion is if you want to come to some out of court settlement then don't insult their intelligence.