Hi - looking for some general advice from this forum as very concerned I am in a pretty bad situation.
I was recently caught travelling without a ticket after tapping in with my bank card at Stratford station. I had travelled from Wickford to Stratford on an overground train with no ticket. I was stopped by a plain clothed greater Anglia inspector who asked me where I had travelled from. I initially panicked and started to lie but then came clean as I began to understand the severity of the situation.
He proceeded to interview me under caution and ask how long I had been travelling on that line and if I had previously travelled without buying a ticket. I am ashamed to say I have travelled multiple times without a ticket and am now very concerned this could go down a prosecution / criminal record route which would see me lose my job and possibly my family. I am completely devastated and completely regret avoiding paying for my journeys. I am still working out from bank statements and the like how many trips I made without a ticket (which will be investigated and I assure I will be honest about) but am certain the costs avoided are in the thousands. I have travelled on the line for 6-8 months on a daily basis.
After the initial panicked I was very co-operative with the staff member and admitted I was completely in the wrong and will never do it again. And that I will be honest with details shared. I gave all my correct details including address and he said the head prosecutor will giving me a phone call within the next 72 hours. He also said this was my first offence, that I have a completely clean record so if I am honest it will not need to go down a court or police route but a matter between myself and the train company (Greater Anglia).
Although I am concerned after they investigate and look into the amount of times I have avoided fares that they will go straight for a prosecution.
I am completely in the wrong and have no excuse for not buying tickets. I moved to a new area and when I started getting the train I got on a couple of times without a ticket due to being in a rush (no excuse) and realised I could get away with it as they were no ticket barriers and hardly ever inspectors in the train. It was opportunist and now someone I completely regret.
I just want to get some opinions on if anyone has come across cases like this before and what I can expect. It is my own fault and karma has caught up with me, but I am absolutely beside myself with panick and worry that this could see me lose me job, receive a criminal record and potentially ruin my life.
Any advice or information is much appreciated.
I was recently caught travelling without a ticket after tapping in with my bank card at Stratford station. I had travelled from Wickford to Stratford on an overground train with no ticket. I was stopped by a plain clothed greater Anglia inspector who asked me where I had travelled from. I initially panicked and started to lie but then came clean as I began to understand the severity of the situation.
He proceeded to interview me under caution and ask how long I had been travelling on that line and if I had previously travelled without buying a ticket. I am ashamed to say I have travelled multiple times without a ticket and am now very concerned this could go down a prosecution / criminal record route which would see me lose my job and possibly my family. I am completely devastated and completely regret avoiding paying for my journeys. I am still working out from bank statements and the like how many trips I made without a ticket (which will be investigated and I assure I will be honest about) but am certain the costs avoided are in the thousands. I have travelled on the line for 6-8 months on a daily basis.
After the initial panicked I was very co-operative with the staff member and admitted I was completely in the wrong and will never do it again. And that I will be honest with details shared. I gave all my correct details including address and he said the head prosecutor will giving me a phone call within the next 72 hours. He also said this was my first offence, that I have a completely clean record so if I am honest it will not need to go down a court or police route but a matter between myself and the train company (Greater Anglia).
Although I am concerned after they investigate and look into the amount of times I have avoided fares that they will go straight for a prosecution.
I am completely in the wrong and have no excuse for not buying tickets. I moved to a new area and when I started getting the train I got on a couple of times without a ticket due to being in a rush (no excuse) and realised I could get away with it as they were no ticket barriers and hardly ever inspectors in the train. It was opportunist and now someone I completely regret.
I just want to get some opinions on if anyone has come across cases like this before and what I can expect. It is my own fault and karma has caught up with me, but I am absolutely beside myself with panick and worry that this could see me lose me job, receive a criminal record and potentially ruin my life.
Any advice or information is much appreciated.