Hi all,
I think I have made a big mistake and now I'm really, really scared.
Last month on a train from Welwyn Garden City to Moorgate, for some reason I decided to use my smartcard for the first time (instead of a paper ticket like I always do). To be honest I really struggled when trying to add credit to it on the ticket machine, and after a few minutes the train was approaching and I wasn't 100% sure if I managed to buy the ticket or not but I had the feeling I did. -It's clear to me now that I was wrong.-
Once on the train, the revenue inspector asked me for my ticket. I showed him the smartcard which he checked on his handheld but he wasn't able to verify whether it had any funds or not. He then proceeded to take my personal details and said that he was going to double check if there was a problem with the smartcard and that I may be contacted at some point just to let me know. That's it. He didn't mention that I'd broken any law nor that I had to pay a fine or anything.
Three days ago I received a letter of notice of intention to prosecute. The details of the offence are as follows:
"On the above date you were stopped and questioned in regard to the following alleged offence(s):
-Entering a train for the purpose of travelling without a ticket entitling travel."
There is a space below where I'm being asked to provide a response and tell what happened from my point of view.
On the first page, the message is this:
"On Thursday... your details were taken by a revenue protection inspector en route on board the train from WGC to Moorgate station.
"This letter is to inform you of our intention to take this case to the Magistrates Court and the enclosed form provides you with the opportunity to tell us what happened from your point of view. Information should be both factual and honest.
"Travel fraud costs the rail industry over £400 million per year and Govia Thameslink Railway has a zero tolerance approach to fare evasion on our network. We always ask that the courts impose the maximum penalty for offenders, which can include the following:
"You must reply to this letter using the attached document within 21 days of the above date.
"Please DO NOT send any money with your reply."
I've never been in this kind of situation before as I've never committed any offence in my life.
Could you guys please advise me as to what should I do? What should I write?
I rang the prosecutions department this morning and they told me that indeed the issue was that I didn't have any funds on the smartcard. I was also told to send my comments back as per the document request.
My main concerns are, am I going to get a criminal record? And if so, is there any possibility that I could even get a prison sentence?
I'm very sorry to trouble you with this. It's Monday and it's late, but I'm so stressed I couldn't even work properly today.
Many thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing back from you.
By the way, English is not my first language so apologies for any grammar/spelling mistakes.
I think I have made a big mistake and now I'm really, really scared.
Last month on a train from Welwyn Garden City to Moorgate, for some reason I decided to use my smartcard for the first time (instead of a paper ticket like I always do). To be honest I really struggled when trying to add credit to it on the ticket machine, and after a few minutes the train was approaching and I wasn't 100% sure if I managed to buy the ticket or not but I had the feeling I did. -It's clear to me now that I was wrong.-
Once on the train, the revenue inspector asked me for my ticket. I showed him the smartcard which he checked on his handheld but he wasn't able to verify whether it had any funds or not. He then proceeded to take my personal details and said that he was going to double check if there was a problem with the smartcard and that I may be contacted at some point just to let me know. That's it. He didn't mention that I'd broken any law nor that I had to pay a fine or anything.
Three days ago I received a letter of notice of intention to prosecute. The details of the offence are as follows:
"On the above date you were stopped and questioned in regard to the following alleged offence(s):
-Entering a train for the purpose of travelling without a ticket entitling travel."
There is a space below where I'm being asked to provide a response and tell what happened from my point of view.
On the first page, the message is this:
"On Thursday... your details were taken by a revenue protection inspector en route on board the train from WGC to Moorgate station.
"This letter is to inform you of our intention to take this case to the Magistrates Court and the enclosed form provides you with the opportunity to tell us what happened from your point of view. Information should be both factual and honest.
"Travel fraud costs the rail industry over £400 million per year and Govia Thameslink Railway has a zero tolerance approach to fare evasion on our network. We always ask that the courts impose the maximum penalty for offenders, which can include the following:
- A criminal record
- Fine up to £1000
- Prison sentence
- Suspended sentence
- Community service
- Seizure of any computer equipment (if involved)
- Compensation
- Costs
"You must reply to this letter using the attached document within 21 days of the above date.
"Please DO NOT send any money with your reply."
I've never been in this kind of situation before as I've never committed any offence in my life.
Could you guys please advise me as to what should I do? What should I write?
I rang the prosecutions department this morning and they told me that indeed the issue was that I didn't have any funds on the smartcard. I was also told to send my comments back as per the document request.
My main concerns are, am I going to get a criminal record? And if so, is there any possibility that I could even get a prison sentence?
I'm very sorry to trouble you with this. It's Monday and it's late, but I'm so stressed I couldn't even work properly today.
Many thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing back from you.
By the way, English is not my first language so apologies for any grammar/spelling mistakes.