Further steps notice letter . HELP

[thelawcritic]

I recently received a letter from Greater Manchester and Enforncement Unit, for a fine for i have spoken to the court and made a statuatory declaration as i wasn't aware of the court proceedings or anything to do with this matter.


But here is what happened:

i own a 16-25 railcard and i must have accidentally clicked on the 16-17 railcard, as a result, when stopped i produced my 16-25 railcard and was asked for my details. in an anxious state, i quickly gave my details but i had recently moved houses so i have the previous house. When i realised this i emailed the train company and they continued to tell me to check the letter for reference number so i can appeal, but i didn't receive the letter as it was at the other address, i explained this to them over the phone and in person and they continued to give me the same response over the following months. A year later i received the further steps notice, did the statutory declaration. What should i expect now, the lady on the phone said a 'intention to prosecute letter' What do i do with that, how do I respond and what are the best steps to avoid going to court and getting a criminal record. The railway line was Northen rails but i have recently discovered i had been emailing the wrong railway about the matter , what can i do ?

 

[furlong]

Which railway company were you contacting then and how did that mistake happen?

Northern probably wouldn't have prosecuted if you'd replied to their letters. They'll probably still offer you a financial settlement if you ask nicely (ask them for a copy of all the missing correspondence then ask for one), but if you gave an address at which you knew you couldn't be contacted, they might feel justified in asking you for an extra contribution towards their wasted court fees and prosecution costs as part of such a settlement, so it might be for a higher amount than they'd have accepted originally.

 

[WesternLancer]

I recently received a letter from Greater Manchester and Enforncement Unit, for a fine for i have spoken to the court and made a statuatory declaration as i wasn't aware of the court proceedings or anything to do with this matter.


But here is what happened:

i own a 16-25 railcard and i must have accidentally clicked on the 16-17 railcard, as a result, when stopped i produced my 16-25 railcard and was asked for my details. in an anxious state, i quickly gave my details but i had recently moved houses so i have the previous house. When i realised this i emailed the train company and they continued to tell me to check the letter for reference number so i can appeal, but i didn't receive the letter as it was at the other address, i explained this to them over the phone and in person and they continued to give me the same response over the following months. A year later i received the further steps notice, did the statutory declaration. What should i expect now, the lady on the phone said a 'intention to prosecute letter' What do i do with that, how do I respond and what are the best steps to avoid going to court and getting a criminal record. The railway line was Northen rails but i have recently discovered i had been emailing the wrong railway about the matter , what can i do ?

Start dealing with the correct railway company in writing (phone is a waste of time as you have found out) - at least by e-mail but probably by paper in hard copy too (you could post a copy of anythign you send by e-mail perhaps, being sure to add your postal address to things) - use tracked mail from a post office - if you choose to e-mail them you need the e-mail address of the Revenue Protection team.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

A Statutory Declaration has the effect of 'resetting the clock'. Arrangements will be made for the case to be re-heard so that you can prepare your defence. What you need to do in the meantime is try and persuade Northern to settle out of court and withdraw the court proceedings. You need to contact the Debt Recovery & Prosecutions Office at Northern as a matter of urgency. I believe their email is [email protected]

 

[FenMan]

It's worth mentioning that train operators won't be much bothered by claims of anxiety, as they know, rather well, more often than not such anxiety has resulted from being caught out.

Just saying. Being anxious doesn't necessarily abrogate anyone from being responsible for the decisions they take and what they do, unless they can provide very compelling evidence to the contrary.

 

[thelawcritic]

Welcome to the forum!

A Statutory Declaration has the effect of 'resetting the clock'. Arrangements will be made for the case to be re-heard so that you can prepare your defence. What you need to do in the meantime is try and persuade Northern to settle out of court and withdraw the court proceedings. You need to contact the Debt Recovery & Prosecutions Office at Northern as a matter of urgency. I believe their email is [email protected]

Thank you , so would I not receive a notice of intent to prosecute letter , where I’d be given the chance to say my side ? If no cool what can I write in my new correspondence with northern to maximise my chances of an out of court settlement ?

 

[thelawcritic]

Start dealing with the correct railway company in writing (phone is a waste of time as you have found out) - at least by e-mail but probably by paper in hard copy too (you could post a copy of anythign you send by e-mail perhaps, being sure to add your postal address to things) - use tracked mail from a post office - if you choose to e-mail them you need the e-mail address of the Revenue Protection team.

Thank you ! What should I write in my correspondence ?

 

[Hadders]

Thank you , so would I not receive a notice of intent to prosecute letter , where I’d be given the chance to say my side ? If no cool what can I write in my new correspondence with northern to maximise my chances of an out of court settlement ?

You won't get a letter asking you to state your side of the story, you'll be sent a court summons. You'll need to contact Northern and ask if they will agree to an out of court settlement before the new court date. If they agree, once the case is settled they will notify the court that they wish to withdraw the case.

 

[thelawcritic]

You won't get a letter asking you to state your side of the story, you'll be sent a court summons. You'll need to contact Northern and ask if they will agree to an out of court settlement before the new court date. If they agree, once the case is settled they will notify the court that they wish to withdraw the case.

oh okay i see , ill get in contact with them now then! thank you

 

[WesternLancer]

oh okay i see , ill get in contact with them now then! thank you

I think you need to write and e-mail them ASAP with a short clear message that explains and gives the following info:

• Your full name, all ref numbers from paperwork that you have, your full up to date postal address, e-mail and phone number (to make it easy for them to get back to you)

• States that you were spoken to about a ticketing matter on x date

• States that you have moved from the address you gave when spoke to and that your correct address is as detailed now (also include your old address so they can match you to the case on their systems) - make it clear this is no longer your address.

• That the case was sent to court without you being aware of it because it went to the wrong address

• That you have now completed a Statutory Declaration

• and you should end your letter / message by asking Northern Rail "if they would be considerate enough to allow you to settle the matter without it needing to go to Court"

Keep copies of everything you send and everything they have sent to you for your records.

You could post a copy (without your personal details) of what you intend to send here if you would like people to have a look over it for you.