Good morning all,
I found this forum on google & have found the posts very informative. I didn't want to post a topic as I am afraid to be honest but hope that you may be able to help me?
I use the Greater Anglia service from Chadwell Heath to London Liverpool St on a regular basis. Because of money probs, I was fare dodging from between Chadwell Heath & Stratford, tapping in at Stratford then getting back on the train and tapping out London Liverpool St.
I did this from between Sept last year til Jan this year when I was caght by a ticket inspector at Stratford as I tapped in. I was put under caution and he took my name, add and Oyster details. Last week I received a letter from Greater Anglia's Prosecution Unit.
It reads "Dear XYZ, on xxrd Jan 2012, at Stratford (London) station a person giving the above name & address was questionned by a member of staff about the payment of a rail fare. Before I proceed further with the investigation of this matter, I would like to give you the opportunity of responding with your explanation concerning this incident. Please complete the bottom section of this letter and if you wish to make any comments about the incedent, please do so on the reverse of this letter."
I am very very stressed & worried about this as after being caught out, I realised that fare dodging is a lot more serious than I first thought. I didn't realise that I could end up with a criminal record.
I've never been in trouble with the police in my life and my career may well be on the line if I end up with a criminal record , not to mention finding another would also be 10 times more difficult with a criminal record.
I called a solicitor last night regarding the issue and he advised that he could represent me in this case but will charge around £1500 to reply to this letter for me. I can't afford that either.
How would you suggest that I reply to this letter without accepting liability (as advised by the solicitor yesterday) & how would you suggest I go about trying to settle this matter out of court as I can't land myself with a criminal record?
Your help would be very very much appreciated.
I found this forum on google & have found the posts very informative. I didn't want to post a topic as I am afraid to be honest but hope that you may be able to help me?
I use the Greater Anglia service from Chadwell Heath to London Liverpool St on a regular basis. Because of money probs, I was fare dodging from between Chadwell Heath & Stratford, tapping in at Stratford then getting back on the train and tapping out London Liverpool St.
I did this from between Sept last year til Jan this year when I was caght by a ticket inspector at Stratford as I tapped in. I was put under caution and he took my name, add and Oyster details. Last week I received a letter from Greater Anglia's Prosecution Unit.
It reads "Dear XYZ, on xxrd Jan 2012, at Stratford (London) station a person giving the above name & address was questionned by a member of staff about the payment of a rail fare. Before I proceed further with the investigation of this matter, I would like to give you the opportunity of responding with your explanation concerning this incident. Please complete the bottom section of this letter and if you wish to make any comments about the incedent, please do so on the reverse of this letter."
I am very very stressed & worried about this as after being caught out, I realised that fare dodging is a lot more serious than I first thought. I didn't realise that I could end up with a criminal record.
I've never been in trouble with the police in my life and my career may well be on the line if I end up with a criminal record , not to mention finding another would also be 10 times more difficult with a criminal record.
I called a solicitor last night regarding the issue and he advised that he could represent me in this case but will charge around £1500 to reply to this letter for me. I can't afford that either.
How would you suggest that I reply to this letter without accepting liability (as advised by the solicitor yesterday) & how would you suggest I go about trying to settle this matter out of court as I can't land myself with a criminal record?
Your help would be very very much appreciated.