westmidlands23
Member
Hi all,
I was cautioned on the 30th of September and have now received the following email:
'We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on 30th September 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.
We look forward to hearing from you.'
Details of my journey:
I travelled from Four Oaks to Birmingham New Street and purchased a ticket from Duddeston to New Street. I was then cautioned and asked to give the station I travelled from, which on that day, was Four Oaks. It seems they have now investigated my account and I am afraid to say this is not the first time I have done this, however the train station I usually travel to and from is Wylde Green. I did not mention this at the time as I am diagnosed autistic and could not process the situation at the time. I am happy to pay any fees and fines but realise I have given the information incorrectly.
Please is someone able to advise how I mention this in my response to the West Midlands team? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
My draft response, if someone could please review and also advise if I should delete my partners details from the below:
Dear West Midlands Railway,
I am writing to offer my sincere apologies for not being able to produce a valid ticket during my recent journey. I am deeply sorry for any inconvenience or frustration that my actions may have caused, and I now understand the importance of following the rules and regulations of the railway.
I wish to assure you that I have learned from this experience and I am committed to ensuring that it does not happen again in the future.
I am diagnosed autistic and due to this, was unable to process the situation and answer during the interview correctly. My local station I travel to and from is Wylde Green and not Four Oaks, although I did travel from Four Oaks on the day of the offence. My partner and his family live there and I get on at his local station, Wylde Green. His details are xxx and his address is xxx.
I am keen to settle this matter amicably and without the need for court action. I would like to offer to pay the outstanding fare and any other administrative costs incurred in dealing with this matter. Please let me know the amount owed and the payment process, and I will make the payment promptly.
Once again, I apologise for any inconvenience caused and I hope that we can resolve this matter as quickly and smoothly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
I was cautioned on the 30th of September and have now received the following email:
'We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on 30th September 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.
We look forward to hearing from you.'
Details of my journey:
I travelled from Four Oaks to Birmingham New Street and purchased a ticket from Duddeston to New Street. I was then cautioned and asked to give the station I travelled from, which on that day, was Four Oaks. It seems they have now investigated my account and I am afraid to say this is not the first time I have done this, however the train station I usually travel to and from is Wylde Green. I did not mention this at the time as I am diagnosed autistic and could not process the situation at the time. I am happy to pay any fees and fines but realise I have given the information incorrectly.
Please is someone able to advise how I mention this in my response to the West Midlands team? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
My draft response, if someone could please review and also advise if I should delete my partners details from the below:
Dear West Midlands Railway,
I am writing to offer my sincere apologies for not being able to produce a valid ticket during my recent journey. I am deeply sorry for any inconvenience or frustration that my actions may have caused, and I now understand the importance of following the rules and regulations of the railway.
I wish to assure you that I have learned from this experience and I am committed to ensuring that it does not happen again in the future.
I am diagnosed autistic and due to this, was unable to process the situation and answer during the interview correctly. My local station I travel to and from is Wylde Green and not Four Oaks, although I did travel from Four Oaks on the day of the offence. My partner and his family live there and I get on at his local station, Wylde Green. His details are xxx and his address is xxx.
I am keen to settle this matter amicably and without the need for court action. I would like to offer to pay the outstanding fare and any other administrative costs incurred in dealing with this matter. Please let me know the amount owed and the payment process, and I will make the payment promptly.
Once again, I apologise for any inconvenience caused and I hope that we can resolve this matter as quickly and smoothly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
