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Freedom pass violation

G

Ginho

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Joined
13 Mar 2024
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5
Location
London
Hello everyone, I was stopped at the Victoria tube station by BTP on August 2023 for using a disabled Freedom pass I found on the street and I gave him all my genuine information. I sent a plea to TfL I will accept any out of court settlement but I have received a letter to appear before the magistrate court this month. I am pleading guilty to all the 245 offences amounting to £669 plus £375 court charges and £6.50 for that particular journey.

I have been asked to declare my financial situation which I have but I wanted to know if I can ask the court to spread the fine to paid in 3 months.

There is a volunteering information page on the forms which I don’t know what to put down there. Any ideas please

I have read on the page Convictions may not show of DBS and police reports. *Silly question* Is advisable to denied being convicted when applying for my IRL visa to the home office since it doesn’t show on my records because it a bye law conviction please. All answers will be taken into esteem consideration.
 
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alholmes

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4 Jun 2012
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252
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1. You can ask the court to pay by instalments, but that’s usually dealt with after conviction. Be aware that there will be a fine and victim surcharge in addition to the amounts you’ve quoted above.
2. Can’t be sure without seeing the form, but I suspect it’s where you would list any voluntary work you undertake, if any
3. We cannot advise on immigration matters - you’ll need to speak to a qualified immigration advisor.
 
AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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Ginho said:
. *Silly question* Is advisable to denied being convicted when applying for my IRL visa to the home office since it doesn’t show on my records because it a bye law conviction please. All answers will be taken into esteem consideration.
Click to expand...
Do not lie on your visa or Indefinite Leave to Remain application; this is a much more serious criminal offence than the one you've already committed.
 
F

fandroid

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As the offence was in August 2023, it looks as if the court action is extremely close to the 6 month deadline
 
I

island

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The court will usually entertain a plan to pay in instalments over up to twelve months.

It is illegal for us to give you immigration advice. You need to see a solicitor or authorised immigration adviser.
 
tiptoptaff

tiptoptaff

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15 Feb 2013
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3,029
Ensure you fill out the financial disclosure form as truthfully and as accurately as you can - it is this form the courts will use to determine the level of monthly installments, if indeed they judge you to be of insufficient means to pay it at once.

Ginho said:
I will be honest with my earnings thank you
Click to expand...
Be aware that HMCTS will have access to payroll information and a good idea of what your actual income is through the tax you pay to HMRC. But you need to be honest about your expenses.
 
Last edited:
G

Ginho

Member
Joined
13 Mar 2024
Messages
5
Location
London
island said:
The court will usually entertain a plan to pay in instalments over up to twelve months.

It is illegal for us to give you immigration advice. You need to see a solicitor or authorised immigration adviser.
Click to expand...
Thank you all for your contribution and advice stay bless
 
I

ikcdab

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2012
Messages
199
Location
Cogload Junction
Ginho said:
Hello everyone, I was stopped at the Victoria tube station by BTP on August 2023 for using a disabled Freedom pass I found on the street and I gave him all my genuine information. I sent a plea to TfL I will accept any out of court settlement but I have received a letter to appear before the magistrate court this month. I am pleading guilty to all the 245 offences amounting to £669 plus £375 court charges and £6.50 for that particular journey.

I have been asked to declare my financial situation which I have but I wanted to know if I can ask the court to spread the fine to paid in 3 months.

There is a volunteering information page on the forms which I don’t know what to put down there. Any ideas please

I have read on the page Convictions may not show of DBS and police reports. *Silly question* Is advisable to denied being convicted when applying for my IRL visa to the home office since it doesn’t show on my records because it a bye law conviction please. All answers will be taken into esteem consideration.
Click to expand...
It is NEVER good advice to lie. Always best to tell the truth and deal with it.
 
S

Sultan

Member
Joined
6 Mar 2019
Messages
268
You are lucky (or is it unlucky?) to have used it 245 times before getting caught. You don't allude to having received any letters prior to the one you mention which suggests how seriously TFL takes repeated mis-use of a Freedom pass.

Best to ensure you take everything you can to court to show that any fine will place you in financial hardship and whether it is possible to pay installments. A years worth of payslips / bank statements wouldn't go amiss here I feel. But above all, be truthful in anything you say, volunteering to the magistrate anything you feel is relevant to the proceedings. If they detect any element of non-truth, your options may become very limited.

Good luck
 
G

Ginho

Member
Joined
13 Mar 2024
Messages
5
Location
London
Sultan said:
You are lucky (or is it unlucky?) to have used it 245 times before getting caught. You don't allude to having received any letters prior to the one you mention which suggests how seriously TFL takes repeated mis-use of a Freedom pass.

Best to ensure you take everything you can to court to show that any fine will place you in financial hardship and whether it is possible to pay installments. A years worth of payslips / bank statements wouldn't go amiss here I feel. But above all, be truthful in anything you say, volunteering to the magistrate anything you feel is relevant to the proceedings. If they detect any element of non-truth, your options may become very limited.

Good luck
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
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