By telling them that you did not have the money to buy a ticket you basically admitted you got on the train without the ability or intention to pay your fare - so I assume they would then conclude that you were deliberately evading your fare. Deliberate fare evasion is dealt with more severely than with the issuing of a Penalty Fare, and you have essentially admitted you did this because you were on the train without the ability to pay for a ticket.
A Horley to Gatwick short ticket? was mentioned in post #5. Another reason not to be given a penalty fare.
Indeed!
IIRC, we don't ever give advice on immigration / visa issues, but, having said that, *could* being prosecuted potentially cause the OP problems, and, if so, where could they go to obtain legitimate / appropriate advice?
If they are a student they will likely have staff at their college / university who are there to help international students with their visa status etc - part of the service offered in exchange for the fees they pay to study here. Or part of the Students Union. They may also have formalised arrangement with appropriate legal firm(s) authorised to give immigration advice / assistance.
Please upload a pic/photo of the letter on here, as and when received. Be sure to cover up/obscure your name and address and any case reference number(s) quoted.
Since you were stopped yesterday? Or did you give them a false address?
Your very first word in your first post was “Yesterday”. Now it happened 4 days ago.