Flamingo
Established Member
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- 26 Apr 2010
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Don't we have a poster on a different thread in this forum and it is the second or third time they have been caught making the same "mistake"?
Yes we do. And I believe the advice they have received has become quite a bit less charitable as the stories have unfolded.Don't we have a poster on a different thread in this forum and it is the second or third time they have been caught making the same "mistake"?
Yes we do. And I believe the advice they have received has become quite a bit less charitable as the stories have unfolded.
Well OP here is some basic advice. If you own either a smart phone or a pocket diary write down the expiry dates in your calendar.
At the end of the day the OP only started to look at the railcard after the ticket was bought, the date was so faint it was clear that the ticket examination was going to expose the fact that it was out of date.
Well OP here is some basic advice. If you own either a smart phone or a pocket diary write down the expiry dates in your calendar. Each week review the week ahead and see if any key actions need to be actioned. Of course having been caught out, not of failing to renew your railcard but to avoid paying the fare you should have paid, you will indeed be penalised. Presumably the fear of sanction prompted the desire to get some help from the community who pay their dues. The best advice is don't get yourself into such situations. Minimising the impact of the OPs actions maybe a bad thing if it leads the OP to rationalise the risk versus the opportunity to avoid paying the fare due. Everyone who gets caught always claims they acted rashly or stupidly. The fact is they need to realise that they acted deliberately and selfishly, to put themselves above the whole community, expecting the majority to pay more so that they can contribute less.
I wonder if we should make a sticky thread for this kind of valuable "life coaching". Then it would be easily accessible to those who are interested, and the posters here would not need to tire themselves by posting it in every single thread.
The only mitigating factor - to a degree - was that the alteration was done so badly, with a pencil. That is hardly the work of a career criminal.The Op can say that, of course, but it may not appear to be so clear cut to the TOC. As Clip said, they may take the view that this was a premeditated decision to extend the period of validity of the railcard by a year, and not an opportunistic reaction at all.
So, although what you say is important, it's best to remember that there are no guarantees!
Have you got yourself a new railcard (of the same type and issued in the same manner) by the way?Thank you all for your constructive input. I feel more at ease, but also an idiot for being so naive!!! I spoke to someone from EMT who works with prosecution today in person (just for some advice). I explained my story to him and he assured me court is a last resort for them; if it's in the interest of most.
I just need to await a reply and go from there...
It has been said that 50% of the criminals in San Quinten (a Federal prison in California) are there because they stand convicted out of their own mouths. If they had simply kept their mouths shut they would not be in prison today. "I can't say" (repeated countless times as necessary) is nice and ambiguous and non-committal (literally).
There's a habit on this forum of regular posters talking to each other, across the strand of the OP's subject. I'm not sure that there was any insuation about you.Not quite sure what the past 3 posts are trying to insinuate here...
Hi all, seeking some further advice.
I haven't received any form of communication yet - and this is the problem, the amount of stress this is causing...
Is ringing EM Prosecutions asking for an update, or asking if I could arrange a visit to them viable? Or is awaiting correspondence still most advisable?
Thanks in advance
They have up to six months to decide if they want to lay charges before the court. So try your best to stop stressing about it, and take this time as a blessing as it gives you an opportunity to save your pennies as you will be needing them - either for a settlement or to pay a fine.I haven't received any form of communication yet - and this is the problem, the amount of stress this is causing...
One of the lines of questionning at the interview will be to assess the potential losses incurred from the change of date on your railcard. You may want to consider taking evidence with you which demonstrates your pattern of travel and the amounts paid. Where there is uncertainty about your use of an altered railcard on other dates then there may be a presumption of regular abuse, with an invitation to you to rebut that presumption with any evidence to the contrary.
They are not restricted to the charge suggested by the letter - evidence to support other charges might emerge later e.g. at the interview, for example.
Ultimately I acted in a complete moment of madness. Absolutely stupid thinking without thinking of the consequences.
Lesson has well and truly been learnt - fare evasion is stupid and criminal
I can only emphasise that the issue being investigated is the quantum of fraud where the evidence is of an attempt to take advantage of a whole year's underpaid travel. Any comparison with the examples of the Police forming an opinion of the frequency of a motorists speeding, would be to form an opinion of how many times you have previously altered the year on a Railcard. That question may be asked, but won't be the focus of interest in your alteration of the Railcard.Lesson has well and truly been learnt - fare evasion is stupid and criminal
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BUMP - Any more insights please?
This kinda works in your favour - if it was such a poor job it doesn't portray you as a hardened criminal mastermind. That said, DaveNewcastle is correct that by changing the year you could be seen to have been attempting to get 365 days worth of additional usage rather than one, so be prepared for that line of questioning.It was done with a pencil, in about 3 seconds, so poorly it came off when the inspector dealt with it; I wouldn't credit myself as being a proficient premeditated fraudster.. I'd like to beleive anyway?