Intended Prosecution

[bel0211]

Hi everyone, I recieved the attached letter in the post today regarding an incident happening in November 2024. I was just wondering if there would be anyone who would just take a few minutes to see if I would be even considered for this incident to be settled through a fine instead.
On this journey, I had bought a train ticket from Tyseley through to Birmingham Moor Street. I had bought this ticket while sat on the train, and was completely unaware of this being an issue until I got to the barriers to find my ticket was not scanning ? This then resulted in me asking for help from one of the workers around me, which they then had asked when I had bought the ticket to which I replied about 15 minutes ago and he then said I’m not to buy train tickets while being on the train and that I should have bought it before starting my journey. He said he will let me through but needed to also take my details down in the case of anything like this happening again. I wasn’t made aware of the fact I would be expecting a notice of prosecution at all during the experience. I have sent an email already apologising and proposing to settle the incident avoiding court intervention. Although, I had only recieved the letter 10 days into the 14 days notice period of the date on the letter. Would anyone be familiar with this process and able to advise me if they will get back to me in this time, and if they don’t will I be prosecuted ?
Thanks so much for reading

 

[Islineclear3_1]

It is a criminal offence to board a train without a ticket; unless there was no opportunity to buy one beforehand. Why did you not buy a ticket at Tyseley before getting on the train?

The experts will be along soon but you need to act fast; you need to reply within 14 days. Post up a draft letter here and the experts will help you word it correctly.

 

[bel0211]

I was under no impression of this being a crime and thanks for letting me know, this was only because I was running late and didn’t really have a chance to buy one at that point. If this was clearer at train stations and on apps, I would definitely have made sure I had bought a ticket well in advance. I had no malicious intentions of not paying for a ticket as it would have affected my job, working in healthcare and a criminal record would taint my DBS.
I have already sent an email and will send it in another thread, although I received the letter today. But it states I have 14 days from the date on the letter, the letter being dated as 7th March, meaning I have just under 4 days? Do they have to reply within those 4 days to ensure my appeal/situation is considered?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

If you don't reply (by letter) within 14 days, it is possible that this may escalate to court action. Post up a draft letter, obliterating personal details and the experts will help you word it correctly. You will then need to send it (by post) urgently

 

[bel0211]

Dear Sir/Madam,

The reason for this email is in response to a letter dated the 7th of March , it is stated as a Notice of Intended Prosecution in regards to an incident which took place on Saturday 2nd November 2024.

Firstly, I will start with apologising for any hassle and inconvenience this may have caused on your end, this issue was only brought to my attention through this letter, implying that this is an ongoing issue you have to deal with regularly, therefore, I am truly sorry for adding further troubles on your end, as well as my little knowledge and understanding of the seriousness of these incidents. Learning from this, I will ensure that there is no further troubles or incidents such as this one in future journeys taken with yourselves.

Although, I had remained unaware of there being any issues from this date since now. From what I had remembered as the only interaction I had with a railway worker on the 2nd November 2024, was at Birmingham Moor Street railway station regarding my ticket not scanning, I therefore, asked for help from one of the workers around me at the barriers, he then looked at my ticket and asked when I bought it, therefore, I had replied stating I bought it around 10 minutes ago from that point. He then said that if you are getting a train you are to buy the ticket before you board the train, and they are not to be bought during a journey, as well as this, he added that he will let me through this time, but will have to take my details in the case of an incident happening again.

Moving on and in a response to this, I was wondering if there was a way to resolve this issue without any court intervention, and am willing to settle any recommended action to resolve this efficiently.
Please see the attachment of my ticket from this journey.
Please do not hesitate to contact me.

This is what I have sent already, I wasn’t aware I should send it through post. I’ll do it tomorrow if all is okay. Thank you

 

[30907]

Don't panic about the 14-day deadline, but search for recent posts by forum member Hadders who regularly offers some points to make.

Your e-mail is rather wordy and could do with being briefer and more formal - and should certainly include the case reference.

You also rather imply that you have committed other ticketing offences - our general advice is to refer only to the specific incident where you were stopped.

PS see also the next post.

 

[furlong]

The letter alleges you failed to show a valid rail ticket. You say you did show a valid rail ticket (but might have committed an offence by boarding a train without one). Which is it?

 

[bel0211]

I did buy the rail ticket as I have a receipt of it and the time I bought it was just under 20 minutes before getting into Birmingham Moor Street. I think the problem is I didn’t have it when I first boarded the train.

Don't panic about the 14-day deadline, but search for recent posts by forum member Hadders who regularly offers some points to make.

Your e-mail is rather wordy and could do with being briefer and more formal - and should certainly include the case reference.

You also rather imply that you have committed other ticketing offences - our general advice is to refer only to the specific incident where you were stopped.

PS see also the next post.

If I have already sent this email should I send a different one or delete it? I’m so sorry, for being a nuisance I was just in a panic to send an email as soon as I read the letter

 

[AlterEgo]

If you've sent it already there's not much that can be done now except wait for their reply.

 

[WesternLancer]

Dear Sir/Madam,

The reason for this email is in response to a letter dated the 7th of March , it is stated as a Notice of Intended Prosecution in regards to an incident which took place on Saturday 2nd November 2024.

Firstly, I will start with apologising for any hassle and inconvenience this may have caused on your end, this issue was only brought to my attention through this letter, implying that this is an ongoing issue you have to deal with regularly, therefore, I am truly sorry for adding further troubles on your end, as well as my little knowledge and understanding of the seriousness of these incidents. Learning from this, I will ensure that there is no further troubles or incidents such as this one in future journeys taken with yourselves.

Although, I had remained unaware of there being any issues from this date since now. From what I had remembered as the only interaction I had with a railway worker on the 2nd November 2024, was at Birmingham Moor Street railway station regarding my ticket not scanning, I therefore, asked for help from one of the workers around me at the barriers, he then looked at my ticket and asked when I bought it, therefore, I had replied stating I bought it around 10 minutes ago from that point. He then said that if you are getting a train you are to buy the ticket before you board the train, and they are not to be bought during a journey, as well as this, he added that he will let me through this time, but will have to take my details in the case of an incident happening again.

Moving on and in a response to this, I was wondering if there was a way to resolve this issue without any court intervention, and am willing to settle any recommended action to resolve this efficiently.
Please see the attachment of my ticket from this journey.
Please do not hesitate to contact me.

This is what I have sent already, I wasn’t aware I should send it through post. I’ll do it tomorrow if all is okay. Thank you

I think if you have already sent it probably best to stick with it and see what they say in response.
Then head back here as and when you need advice.

Are you also posting a copy tomorrow?

 

[bel0211]

I think if you have already sent it probably best to stick with it and see what they say in response.
Then head back here as and when you need advice.

Are you also posting a copy tomorrow?

Perfect thanks for the help, if it is recommended I can definitely do that too ?

 

[WesternLancer]

Perfect thanks for the help, if it is recommended I can definitely do that too ?

If they say they accept it by e mail you have to hope that is adequate.

Probably no harm to do both.

 

[furlong]

So the train company has got its facts wrong in its letter? Your reply should explain the correct facts and as there is no outstanding fare to pay trust that they will take no further action?

 

[Bertie the bus]

I did buy the rail ticket as I have a receipt of it and the time I bought it was just under 20 minutes before getting into Birmingham Moor Street. I think the problem is I didn’t have it when I first boarded the train.

Tyseley to Birmingham Moor Street is a 7 minute journey. If you purchased the ticket 20 minutes before arriving at Moor Street and after you boarded the train then you did not travel from Tyseley.

The letter states they believe you have also not paid the correct fare n the past. So the question is, were you short-faring and do you have a habit of doing it? If you were short-faring then that could clear up the discussion regarding whether you had showed a valid ticket or not.

 

[Knoodlepot]

I was under no impression of this being a crime and thanks for letting me know, this was only because I was running late and didn’t really have a chance to buy one at that point. If this was clearer at train stations and on apps, I would definitely have made sure I had bought a ticket well in advance. I had no malicious intentions of not paying for a ticket as it would have affected my job, working in healthcare and a criminal record would taint my DBS.
I have already sent an email and will send it in another thread, although I received the letter today. But it states I have 14 days from the date on the letter, the letter being dated as 7th March, meaning I have just under 4 days? Do they have to reply within those 4 days to ensure my appeal/situation is considered?

If you travelled from Tyseley you would have entered at the top. The ticket office in front of you depending on the time it might have been opened. You walk pass a TVM (Ticket machine).
Before you go down the stairs to the platform you will pass a big yellow and black poster warning about potential Penalty Fare or report to Prosecutions.


Actually I think the poster is right next to the entrance of the station. The only way in or out.