Reported For Prosecution

Hi, i got a GWR train yesterday from somerset to london but got stopped by a Revenue inspector as i was travelling on a child ticket (im 17) and it was a long distance so got a child ticket as it was cheaper. I ended up telling her in the end i wasn’t 15 but i got so anxious and shaken up i lied and said i was 16*♀️she took my details etc correct name and address but wrong year as i said 2003 because i just panicked , anyway we talked and she asked why i was travelling etc, (we had a really long chat about my personal life) , and gave me a ticket to continue the rest of my journey and didn’t charge me, or mention anything about a fine. All she gave me was a ‘reported for prosecution’ card with the date on it and said they’d write to me and gave me a hug lol. But my question is how much would the fine be? would i be in trouble for panicking lying about my age? and will i go to court etc or can i just pay the fine. i know it was really stupid of me but it was all the money i had at the time to get away from personal situations at home . Thanks

When do you turn 18? Is there more then 6 months to go until you 18th birthday?

That is a good point. Although you can be prosecuted from age 10, it's rather a faff to do so under the age of 18, so many TOCs will let you off with a warning if you can't be tried as an adult. However they have six months to lay documents before the court.

Also if you are fined by definition you will have been sentenced in court. What you are seeking is an out of court settlement, whereby you pay their costs and the fare due for them not to prosecute. However the best approach for this is to wait for the letter as to their intentions. Then write back apologising and promising not to do anything similar again, also offer to pay the outstanding fare and any costs. But first wait for the letter.

There is also a chance, and we have seen this with First Group before, the train company will send a letter addressed to: The Parents/Guardians of XXX. If they do this then, again we saw a case on here before, the parent could try phoning and merely offering the fare due (which in your case a child fare is discounted by half the adult fare, so the other half is what you have avoided paying) However, we won't want to jump the gun here. Best wait until you (or your parents - so do give them a heads up) hear back from the train company.

This can take anything from a couple of weeks, a few months or up to about 6 months. Do keen an eye on your mail during this time. Although it would be wise, if a reply is warranted for it to be sent promptly, to post here for advise before replying.

That said, you have committed a criminal offence by travelling without a valid ticket, you have shown intent to avoid paying your fare and defrauded the railway of money. It is also a separate offence to give false details to a railway official when a passenger as not paid their/the correct fare. (However I'll have to confirm if this only applies to a name and address). These offences can lead to a criminal record. A fine can only be imposed by a court and for which a court summons regarding a court hearing would need to be issued.

gray1404 said:

It is also a separate offence to give false details to a railway official when a passenger as not paid their/the correct fare. (However I'll have to confirm if this only applies to a name and address).

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The legislation only specifically mentions name and address. However, since date of birth is normally taken in order to reduce the likelihood of name clash of two people with similar name and address (e.g. a parent and child with the same name) it can (and I believe has) been argued that giving an incorrect DOB just adds to the 'intent' portion of the charge.

ejharris said:

Hi, i got a GWR train yesterday from somerset to london but got stopped by a Revenue inspector as i was travelling on a child ticket (im 17) and it was a long distance so got a child ticket as it was cheaper. I ended up telling her in the end i wasn’t 15 but i got so anxious and shaken up i lied and said i was 16*♀️she took my details etc correct name and address but wrong year as i said 2003 because i just panicked , anyway we talked and she asked why i was travelling etc, (we had a really long chat about my personal life) , and gave me a ticket to continue the rest of my journey and didn’t charge me, or mention anything about a fine. All she gave me was a ‘reported for prosecution’ card with the date on it and said they’d write to me and gave me a hug lol. But my question is how much would the fine be? would i be in trouble for panicking lying about my age? and will i go to court etc or can i just pay the fine. i know it was really stupid of me but it was all the money i had at the time to get away from personal situations at home . Thanks

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Hi - also - you may want to get yourself one of these if you can

https://www.railcard.co.uk/travel-inspiration/maketracks/introducing-the-16-17-saver/