Hi all,
I'd like to document and share my experiences of being caught using a relative's freedom pass.
Purpose of this thread:
I am not necessarily looking for advice from contributors, though I always value feedback and comments. I have already been consulted with sensible legal advice and I know what I will be submitting as a response to TfL's Verification Letter next week. This thread is for:
The facts:
What I am seeking:
Best case scenario would be a Out Of Court settlement (OOC). Recently got my first job that I love. But my job requires regular DBS checks and I would be dismissed if prosecuted for having avoided fares. I understand and accept that due to the high usage of the freedom pass (20~ journeys across the space of a month), a prosecution is likely.
We will see what happens, I'll keep you updated.
What I have done since the incident:
00. Search about consequences on the internet and panic about impact to family welfare and career prospects
01. Write up a transcript of the events whilst it is fresh in your mind - this will help save time for the lawyer (if you are intending to get one)
02. Read up on TfL's prosecution policy (https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf) - this will be helpful for your contextual knowledge before you contact a lawyer
03. Calculate how many journeys you may have taken - if possible, by logging into the TfL site and tracking activity for past 2 months, then by estimated usage if used over a prolonged period of time. This will be useful when you start to write your response to the Verification Letter
04. Contact a lawyer - I spoke with a great solicitor at Manak Solicitors. Would recommend. The solicitor was extremely experienced and of high integrity. I paid for an initial consultation and he gave me a lot of good information on how this could play out, from OOC to court day. This solicitor has a high success rate of achieving OOC settlements, but in my case he recommended that I do not pay for further consultations / legal representation. He estimated a success rate of achieving an OOC settlement at 30% as the usage of the freedom pass was high (20~ journeys)
05. Write the apology letter in response to Verification Letter - I was fully advised by the solicitor on how to write it. I've also taken inspiration from other useful threads. I will share the contents in due course, but have not sent it off yet so will hold off for now
06. Evidence for mitigating circumstances (if applicable) - gathering evidence that you can share with TfL's prosecution team
07. Submitting a response to the Verification Letter - in due course (still at step 06)
Lessons along the way:
01. Don't avoid fares
02. You will learn who your true friends are
03. Twitter memes temporarily help with the anxiety
TBC
>>>>>
I have chosen to cooperate with TfL on this matter. I understand the severity of my actions and the likely consequences on my family and personal ambitions. I made 20~ foolish mistakes and I'm fighting to keep my life from falling apart. Mentally I'm in a tough headspace, but I am holding it together. It's difficult to go on with life whilst constantly having this in the back of my mind.
I will be sending off the verification letter response next week and I hope to hear back from TfL by the end of June.
If you have any questions or comments, please do post them below. I'll be looking back at this thread intermittently to share updates and answer any queries.
Wishing you a great Queen's Jubilee Weekend,
AH
I'd like to document and share my experiences of being caught using a relative's freedom pass.
Purpose of this thread:
I am not necessarily looking for advice from contributors, though I always value feedback and comments. I have already been consulted with sensible legal advice and I know what I will be submitting as a response to TfL's Verification Letter next week. This thread is for:
- Raising awareness of the severity of fare evasion
- Sharing my experiences of TfL's strict policy on freedom pass misuse
- Offenders who may find themselves in a similar position
- Myself - it's therapeutic to write about this experience
The facts:
- The stations where you started & finished your journey;
- The stations where you changed trains (if applicable);
- If you presented a ticket(s), the information stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
- What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
- The details of any paperwork with which you were issued.
What I am seeking:
Best case scenario would be a Out Of Court settlement (OOC). Recently got my first job that I love. But my job requires regular DBS checks and I would be dismissed if prosecuted for having avoided fares. I understand and accept that due to the high usage of the freedom pass (20~ journeys across the space of a month), a prosecution is likely.
We will see what happens, I'll keep you updated.
What I have done since the incident:
00. Search about consequences on the internet and panic about impact to family welfare and career prospects
01. Write up a transcript of the events whilst it is fresh in your mind - this will help save time for the lawyer (if you are intending to get one)
02. Read up on TfL's prosecution policy (https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf) - this will be helpful for your contextual knowledge before you contact a lawyer
03. Calculate how many journeys you may have taken - if possible, by logging into the TfL site and tracking activity for past 2 months, then by estimated usage if used over a prolonged period of time. This will be useful when you start to write your response to the Verification Letter
04. Contact a lawyer - I spoke with a great solicitor at Manak Solicitors. Would recommend. The solicitor was extremely experienced and of high integrity. I paid for an initial consultation and he gave me a lot of good information on how this could play out, from OOC to court day. This solicitor has a high success rate of achieving OOC settlements, but in my case he recommended that I do not pay for further consultations / legal representation. He estimated a success rate of achieving an OOC settlement at 30% as the usage of the freedom pass was high (20~ journeys)
05. Write the apology letter in response to Verification Letter - I was fully advised by the solicitor on how to write it. I've also taken inspiration from other useful threads. I will share the contents in due course, but have not sent it off yet so will hold off for now
06. Evidence for mitigating circumstances (if applicable) - gathering evidence that you can share with TfL's prosecution team
07. Submitting a response to the Verification Letter - in due course (still at step 06)
Lessons along the way:
01. Don't avoid fares
02. You will learn who your true friends are
03. Twitter memes temporarily help with the anxiety
TBC
>>>>>
I have chosen to cooperate with TfL on this matter. I understand the severity of my actions and the likely consequences on my family and personal ambitions. I made 20~ foolish mistakes and I'm fighting to keep my life from falling apart. Mentally I'm in a tough headspace, but I am holding it together. It's difficult to go on with life whilst constantly having this in the back of my mind.
I will be sending off the verification letter response next week and I hope to hear back from TfL by the end of June.
If you have any questions or comments, please do post them below. I'll be looking back at this thread intermittently to share updates and answer any queries.
Wishing you a great Queen's Jubilee Weekend,
AH
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