Good afternoon
I am writing to gain some information as my son who is a serving member of the armed forces has been summoned to court.
He caught a train while on sick leave for a injury. He bought a ticket via the train line and applied hm forces discount.
When he was asked for his ticket by the warden he asked for he railcard to which my son went and fetched it from his bag and gave it to him. After doing so the warden told my son that it was out of date my son looked and apologised that he didn't realise as he rarely catches a train and stated he had his military ID which has Been sufficient in the past (I know now that it is not) my son stated that he didn't intend to make this mistake as a railcard could easily be attained from work but he hadn't been back since being injured. My son offered to pay the discounted fare when the warden said he could not as it was a mobile ticket ...
This is where it becomes tricky
My son says he offered to pay the full fair many times to which the warden declined. The warden (as stated it his court summons statement says my son refused to pay. Of course I trust my son and believe him but I'm trying to lay everything on the table. The warden asked for my sons details and railcard and A passenger then said that was illegal as he was ex forces and this couldn't be done. After the warden and pass her had a brief debate my son became apprehensive at handing them over but in the end did so and have correct details .
He wasn't asked to leave the train and the police wasn't called and now there has been a back and forth of letters from TLI with my son stating he offered to pay as well as still offering to pay and even a fine so that the matter can be dealt with to no avail as now court summons have arrived. Him having s criminal record will affect his armed forces career as well as others so he doesn't want to plead guilty.
I'm just wandering what his options and chances are as well as why the train line would go so far over something if he offered to pay and if it's his word against the wardens. Also why a fine wasn't offered and to what the rough cost of court will be.
Many thanks for your replies in advance I am aware my son is at fault for not having an in date railcard and that is his own fault. But he was not trying to "evade fare" and offered to pay the difference and the full amount. To his account.
I am writing to gain some information as my son who is a serving member of the armed forces has been summoned to court.
He caught a train while on sick leave for a injury. He bought a ticket via the train line and applied hm forces discount.
When he was asked for his ticket by the warden he asked for he railcard to which my son went and fetched it from his bag and gave it to him. After doing so the warden told my son that it was out of date my son looked and apologised that he didn't realise as he rarely catches a train and stated he had his military ID which has Been sufficient in the past (I know now that it is not) my son stated that he didn't intend to make this mistake as a railcard could easily be attained from work but he hadn't been back since being injured. My son offered to pay the discounted fare when the warden said he could not as it was a mobile ticket ...
This is where it becomes tricky
My son says he offered to pay the full fair many times to which the warden declined. The warden (as stated it his court summons statement says my son refused to pay. Of course I trust my son and believe him but I'm trying to lay everything on the table. The warden asked for my sons details and railcard and A passenger then said that was illegal as he was ex forces and this couldn't be done. After the warden and pass her had a brief debate my son became apprehensive at handing them over but in the end did so and have correct details .
He wasn't asked to leave the train and the police wasn't called and now there has been a back and forth of letters from TLI with my son stating he offered to pay as well as still offering to pay and even a fine so that the matter can be dealt with to no avail as now court summons have arrived. Him having s criminal record will affect his armed forces career as well as others so he doesn't want to plead guilty.
I'm just wandering what his options and chances are as well as why the train line would go so far over something if he offered to pay and if it's his word against the wardens. Also why a fine wasn't offered and to what the rough cost of court will be.
Many thanks for your replies in advance I am aware my son is at fault for not having an in date railcard and that is his own fault. But he was not trying to "evade fare" and offered to pay the difference and the full amount. To his account.