Good morning Everyone,
First of all thank you for this forum. Your advice is invaluable and has been very useful to me in drafting my response to the Intention to Prosecute letter which I received yesterday.
I was caught short faring at Gatwick in mid March and thought I would not post on the forum, until the letter arrives. I am absolutely mortified at the prospect of potential consequences of my stupid actions and wish I had never done it…
I am attaching the letter I received and the draft of my response. I do realise it’s quite detailed at the moment and I’m ready to abbreviate it. If you could please kindly proof-read it for me, I would be extremely grateful. I want to post the response early next week as it has caused me great anxiety and worry and I would like this matter to finally come to an end as soon as possible… Whenever I receive any communication from Govia, I’ll post it here so it can give an idea for any future similar cases.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to reply to your letter dated 14.05.2024 and present my truthful statement.
I can confirm that on the 13th of March 2024 I was stopped by a Revenue Protection Inspector without a valid ticket. I am a (profession) who works at Gatwick Airport and I usually drive to work at different times of the day from (area name). On the above date I took a train to avoid driving both ways in rush hour. I looked up the train ticket price online and discovered it was considerably higher than my usual costs of petrol. This is when I took a very short-sighted and selfish decision to only pay for part of my train journey. I correctly tapped in and out for the tube journey from (station name), where I live to Blackfriars Station but from there I only purchased a day return ticket to London Bridge in the ticket machine, which cost £7.40 (see tickets attached) and a day return ticket from Three Bridges to London Gatwick, which I paid £3.90 for via Train Line (see attached printout). This ticket would allow me to go past the barrier on arrival at Gatwick and again on the way home. In arrival at GTW, I was stopped by the Revenue Protection Inspector. As my ticket had not been scanned at Three Bridges, I confessed what I had done. In my naivity I was expecting to be asked to pay the correct fare or a fine on site, but instead I was presented a Witness Statement. I did not fully understand what it meant until I looked it up online. To my shock and horror I found out the gravity of the situation and its consequences, which could potentially result in a court sentence, a criminal record and could seriously impact or even end my professional career. On the same day, as soon as I realised the above, I purchased the correct return ticket online (please find attached the printout), to at least partially compensate for what I had done. Additionally, I tapped out my debit card at Gatwick Airport on my return trip and was therefore charged a full fare to/from work (please see attached bank statement).
I am very regretful and ashamed of my actions. I will never do it again and I will always purchase the correct train ticket before travelling. I understand the severity of my actions, the detrimental impact fare evaders have not only on Thameslink but also on National Railway and the money that is being lost through such foolish, irresponsible and unlawful actions. I completely understand and back up your zero policy to evaders. I do not want to be associated with such behaviour but instead, want to contribute in creating a modern, efficient and safer railway. On this occasion I would once again like to express my deepest apologies and regret for my anctions and the inconvenience I have caused.
I would like to request if you could kindly consider resolving this matter amicably, without the need for court action. I am eager to cover any costs that Govia has incurred in relation to this case. I appreciate your consideration and am looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
First of all thank you for this forum. Your advice is invaluable and has been very useful to me in drafting my response to the Intention to Prosecute letter which I received yesterday.
I was caught short faring at Gatwick in mid March and thought I would not post on the forum, until the letter arrives. I am absolutely mortified at the prospect of potential consequences of my stupid actions and wish I had never done it…
I am attaching the letter I received and the draft of my response. I do realise it’s quite detailed at the moment and I’m ready to abbreviate it. If you could please kindly proof-read it for me, I would be extremely grateful. I want to post the response early next week as it has caused me great anxiety and worry and I would like this matter to finally come to an end as soon as possible… Whenever I receive any communication from Govia, I’ll post it here so it can give an idea for any future similar cases.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to reply to your letter dated 14.05.2024 and present my truthful statement.
I can confirm that on the 13th of March 2024 I was stopped by a Revenue Protection Inspector without a valid ticket. I am a (profession) who works at Gatwick Airport and I usually drive to work at different times of the day from (area name). On the above date I took a train to avoid driving both ways in rush hour. I looked up the train ticket price online and discovered it was considerably higher than my usual costs of petrol. This is when I took a very short-sighted and selfish decision to only pay for part of my train journey. I correctly tapped in and out for the tube journey from (station name), where I live to Blackfriars Station but from there I only purchased a day return ticket to London Bridge in the ticket machine, which cost £7.40 (see tickets attached) and a day return ticket from Three Bridges to London Gatwick, which I paid £3.90 for via Train Line (see attached printout). This ticket would allow me to go past the barrier on arrival at Gatwick and again on the way home. In arrival at GTW, I was stopped by the Revenue Protection Inspector. As my ticket had not been scanned at Three Bridges, I confessed what I had done. In my naivity I was expecting to be asked to pay the correct fare or a fine on site, but instead I was presented a Witness Statement. I did not fully understand what it meant until I looked it up online. To my shock and horror I found out the gravity of the situation and its consequences, which could potentially result in a court sentence, a criminal record and could seriously impact or even end my professional career. On the same day, as soon as I realised the above, I purchased the correct return ticket online (please find attached the printout), to at least partially compensate for what I had done. Additionally, I tapped out my debit card at Gatwick Airport on my return trip and was therefore charged a full fare to/from work (please see attached bank statement).
I am very regretful and ashamed of my actions. I will never do it again and I will always purchase the correct train ticket before travelling. I understand the severity of my actions, the detrimental impact fare evaders have not only on Thameslink but also on National Railway and the money that is being lost through such foolish, irresponsible and unlawful actions. I completely understand and back up your zero policy to evaders. I do not want to be associated with such behaviour but instead, want to contribute in creating a modern, efficient and safer railway. On this occasion I would once again like to express my deepest apologies and regret for my anctions and the inconvenience I have caused.
I would like to request if you could kindly consider resolving this matter amicably, without the need for court action. I am eager to cover any costs that Govia has incurred in relation to this case. I appreciate your consideration and am looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
