belvita
New Member
Hi all,
On 2nd August 2024 I was incredibly naive and purchased a single ticket from Birmingham University heading to Birmingham New Street, even though I boarded the train at Droitwich Spa (2 stops prior to Birmingham University). The ticket I bought was £3.30, whereas the correct fare from Droitwich Spa would have been £9.50, meaning I underpaid by £6.20. I note that I purchased the ticket through Trainline and it was the first (and last) time I had ever bought the incorrect ticket.
Upon arriving at Birmingham New Street I was approached by officers who scanned my ticket. They said it had not been scanned at Birmingham University and asked how I had managed to get through the barriers there. Embarrassed and trying to find a response to defend my actions, I said that the barriers were already open and I had just walked through. They said that couldn’t be the case as there were officers there too that day. Once they said this, I admitted my wrongdoing. I was then placed under caution and interviewed, and responded to all the answers honestly.
I have now received the following email:
“We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on 2nd August 2024 when approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket you offered a ticket that was not valid for the journey you had completed, possibly committing short journey fraud.
You were interviewed under caution for possibly committing short journey fraud.
Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud. West Midlands Trains take travel fraud extremely seriously and is committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. Such an offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment and, in either case, a criminal record. It must also be considered whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.”
I am eager to respond today to show willingness. Can anyone please advise what I should include in my response? I am incredibly sorry and keen to settle outside of court and willing to pay any fine to avoid this. They also don’t say how they want me to provide the evidence - Do I just respond to this email?
I am also concerned about this appearing on my DBS - Will it show on there if settled outside of court?
Many thanks all!
On 2nd August 2024 I was incredibly naive and purchased a single ticket from Birmingham University heading to Birmingham New Street, even though I boarded the train at Droitwich Spa (2 stops prior to Birmingham University). The ticket I bought was £3.30, whereas the correct fare from Droitwich Spa would have been £9.50, meaning I underpaid by £6.20. I note that I purchased the ticket through Trainline and it was the first (and last) time I had ever bought the incorrect ticket.
Upon arriving at Birmingham New Street I was approached by officers who scanned my ticket. They said it had not been scanned at Birmingham University and asked how I had managed to get through the barriers there. Embarrassed and trying to find a response to defend my actions, I said that the barriers were already open and I had just walked through. They said that couldn’t be the case as there were officers there too that day. Once they said this, I admitted my wrongdoing. I was then placed under caution and interviewed, and responded to all the answers honestly.
I have now received the following email:
“We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on 2nd August 2024 when approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket you offered a ticket that was not valid for the journey you had completed, possibly committing short journey fraud.
You were interviewed under caution for possibly committing short journey fraud.
Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud. West Midlands Trains take travel fraud extremely seriously and is committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. Such an offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment and, in either case, a criminal record. It must also be considered whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.”
I am eager to respond today to show willingness. Can anyone please advise what I should include in my response? I am incredibly sorry and keen to settle outside of court and willing to pay any fine to avoid this. They also don’t say how they want me to provide the evidence - Do I just respond to this email?
I am also concerned about this appearing on my DBS - Will it show on there if settled outside of court?
Many thanks all!
