I am from Cardiff and travel using the Arriva Trains Wales Network (from Radyr Station to Cardiff Queen Street Station if this helps)
So, about a month ago I got on a train at Station A and traveled to Station B. I did not buy a ticket at Station A because I knew I could either get a ticket from the conductor on the train or at Station B. However, since no conductor was present on the train that day (at least not in the carriage) I decided I could then buy my ticket at Station B.
So, I'm at Station B waiting in the queue to buy the ticket. I asked for a return from Station A to Station B. The man said that he couldn't offer me a ticket and that I had to talk to another man, who just so happened to be a Transport Investigator. He took me aside and accused me of having intent to avoid paying a train fare. I fail to see how this could be possible because I was just in the queue trying to buy a ticket, where I was refused a ticket only to then be cautioned for not having a ticket? This doesn't make sense because the reason I didn't have a ticket is because you wouldn't sell me one? It's not like I tried to leave the Station without paying, in which case I would own up to having no intent to pay a train fare and accept any consequences. (I compare this to a shop where you don't pay for each item as you are walking around, you pay at the end. If you leave the shop without paying, then you have no intent to pay for those items and only then should you be treated as a criminal)
Anyway, the other day I got a letter in the post stating there was enough evidence to warrant a prosecution and I may have to appear in court to receive a fine. Would my story hold up in court? It's not like a have a criminal record at current and I usually buy a seasonal ticket (and have done for several years) but this travel was a one off journey and I have in the past, as well as other people, brought a ticket at my destination Station or on the train. Would the fact that they refused to sell my a ticket before I was pulled aside make any difference, surely this shows that I obviously did have some intent to purchase a ticket? I don't see the point of having these ticket facilities at the destination Station if they're going to refuse me a ticket anyway.
I think the offense in which they are trying to accuse of is show in the Railway ByeLaw Section 18(1). However, I feel this is a very bad law and should be changed to suit the views of modern train passengers who travel on trains with the idea that they can be sold a ticket on the train or at their destination. The law should only be able to prosecute people who actually refuse to pay for a ticket/don't have means of paying for a ticket/try to leave the Station without paying for a ticket.
Sorry for rambling, but I really don't feel like I have committed a criminal offense and really don't want to have a criminal record from this. Is there any point appealing this conviction or would it make no difference or would the fact that I'm appealing make it look like I'm guilty? Would my history of buying seasonal ticket for many years count in my favour?
Thanks in advance for any advice you could offer me!
So, about a month ago I got on a train at Station A and traveled to Station B. I did not buy a ticket at Station A because I knew I could either get a ticket from the conductor on the train or at Station B. However, since no conductor was present on the train that day (at least not in the carriage) I decided I could then buy my ticket at Station B.
So, I'm at Station B waiting in the queue to buy the ticket. I asked for a return from Station A to Station B. The man said that he couldn't offer me a ticket and that I had to talk to another man, who just so happened to be a Transport Investigator. He took me aside and accused me of having intent to avoid paying a train fare. I fail to see how this could be possible because I was just in the queue trying to buy a ticket, where I was refused a ticket only to then be cautioned for not having a ticket? This doesn't make sense because the reason I didn't have a ticket is because you wouldn't sell me one? It's not like I tried to leave the Station without paying, in which case I would own up to having no intent to pay a train fare and accept any consequences. (I compare this to a shop where you don't pay for each item as you are walking around, you pay at the end. If you leave the shop without paying, then you have no intent to pay for those items and only then should you be treated as a criminal)
Anyway, the other day I got a letter in the post stating there was enough evidence to warrant a prosecution and I may have to appear in court to receive a fine. Would my story hold up in court? It's not like a have a criminal record at current and I usually buy a seasonal ticket (and have done for several years) but this travel was a one off journey and I have in the past, as well as other people, brought a ticket at my destination Station or on the train. Would the fact that they refused to sell my a ticket before I was pulled aside make any difference, surely this shows that I obviously did have some intent to purchase a ticket? I don't see the point of having these ticket facilities at the destination Station if they're going to refuse me a ticket anyway.
I think the offense in which they are trying to accuse of is show in the Railway ByeLaw Section 18(1). However, I feel this is a very bad law and should be changed to suit the views of modern train passengers who travel on trains with the idea that they can be sold a ticket on the train or at their destination. The law should only be able to prosecute people who actually refuse to pay for a ticket/don't have means of paying for a ticket/try to leave the Station without paying for a ticket.
Sorry for rambling, but I really don't feel like I have committed a criminal offense and really don't want to have a criminal record from this. Is there any point appealing this conviction or would it make no difference or would the fact that I'm appealing make it look like I'm guilty? Would my history of buying seasonal ticket for many years count in my favour?
Thanks in advance for any advice you could offer me!