I travelled from Farringdon Station to St Pancras station to take the highspeed train to Chatham last month. I had my railway ticket and the Network Railway card with what I purchased my ticket. I was found guilty at St Pancras at 9.39 a.m.cz my ticket was only valid to travel from 10.00 a.m. and I received a letter from Thameslink Railways which had the subject "Notice of Intension to Prosecute"
I understand well now having read a lot and spoken to a lot of them it was my mistake. Briefly thia is what happened.
I started working in London few months ago and I am from Chatham. Where I work is somewhere between Farringdon and St Pancras Station and the Highspeed train leaves St Pancras at 10.20 a.m. and I normally walk there. But on the day it was raining heavily and my ticket said "Off Peak Return" on the Top although it was purchased using my network railway card and thought I could travel from Farringdon to St Pancras during the off peak (Simply ignorant and I did not know about the use off off peak, Super off peak etc.). From Farringdon when I used my card the gate doors did not open. So I went and showed my ticket to the staff who then let me take the train arround 9.25 - 9.30 a.m. and I arrived at St Pancras in time for my train at 10.20 and was caught on the gate by an officer at 9.39 a.m. who gave me a note and said Thameslink will send a penalty via mail and you may pay it.
It is a long story. Genuinely I did not know at the time I did a crime. I sincerely regret multiple times doing it. I ve had many sleepless nights and it is my first ever mistake/penalty and have never committed any crime and here I am being sent an intension to prosecute. I had no intention cz anyway my train leaves at 10.20 a.m. and there was no reason to come early and break a rule at 9.39 a.m. I had my ticket to Chatham (Attached) and also I had my Network Railway card which I showed to the officer. Could you please help. I need to send a reply by post they said. I dont know what to write and I want to settle it without going to the Court's and willing to pay any panalty. I am stressed and dont know what to do. Please help.
I understand well now having read a lot and spoken to a lot of them it was my mistake. Briefly thia is what happened.
I started working in London few months ago and I am from Chatham. Where I work is somewhere between Farringdon and St Pancras Station and the Highspeed train leaves St Pancras at 10.20 a.m. and I normally walk there. But on the day it was raining heavily and my ticket said "Off Peak Return" on the Top although it was purchased using my network railway card and thought I could travel from Farringdon to St Pancras during the off peak (Simply ignorant and I did not know about the use off off peak, Super off peak etc.). From Farringdon when I used my card the gate doors did not open. So I went and showed my ticket to the staff who then let me take the train arround 9.25 - 9.30 a.m. and I arrived at St Pancras in time for my train at 10.20 and was caught on the gate by an officer at 9.39 a.m. who gave me a note and said Thameslink will send a penalty via mail and you may pay it.
It is a long story. Genuinely I did not know at the time I did a crime. I sincerely regret multiple times doing it. I ve had many sleepless nights and it is my first ever mistake/penalty and have never committed any crime and here I am being sent an intension to prosecute. I had no intention cz anyway my train leaves at 10.20 a.m. and there was no reason to come early and break a rule at 9.39 a.m. I had my ticket to Chatham (Attached) and also I had my Network Railway card which I showed to the officer. Could you please help. I need to send a reply by post they said. I dont know what to write and I want to settle it without going to the Court's and willing to pay any panalty. I am stressed and dont know what to do. Please help.