I was travelling from station a to c at the weekend
A group of friends and myself were looking forward to the day out and stupidly thought we'd have a joke with the ticket officer.
When we went to the the unpaid fares office, we mentioned we got on at station b. I need to make it clear we only joking and no intention to defraud the rail company, the ticket girl was in no mood for jokes and asked where we really departed from. Not realising the seriousness of the situation 2 revenue protection officers approached us and questioned us about our journey.
Station b was 1 stop from station c (walking distance and not on the route we took, which again i reiterate naively thought this would be funny). We listed all the station that was on route still not releasing the seriousness of the situation when questioned by the revenue protection officer. I made it clear after realising the situation unfolding that we came from station c and wished to pay the correct fare but was told it was now not possible.
We had no intention to pay from station b, all i can describe it as "seeing what they would say" as it was so close and ridiculous to lie due to barriers being in place etc...
I feel that i have unintentionally incriminated myself by answering yes to all the questions asked by the inspector. Questions such as,
"I put it to you that would of defrauded the rail company"
" I put it to you that without me stopping you would of resulted in paying a lesser fare"
I had cash on me to pay the correct fair there and then.
I was answering yes to leave the situation as i then felt uncomfortable and didn't want to argue a fuss and just to pay for my fare... to which i was told i cannot now do.
We were told by the inspector that you will probably have to pay the train ticket in the post. Having researched this and the prospect of a criminal record under sect5 1889 act for such a trivial (in my eyes, not in the train company) joke/ "having a joke with friends" is quite stressful.
I'm a young professional and the thought of a criminal record is soul destroying as it would certainly hamper my career aspirations that i built for 5 years and currently work in. I will undoubtedly lose my job from these naive actions and find it very hard to get reemployment.
any advice out there, this seems a friendly forum?
I think i need to make contact with the company asap and it seems in my eyes i have wrongly and unintentionally incriminated myself via the witness statement from the inspector that will undoubtedly be used against me and most probably result in a conviction. Is there a chance of out of court settlement if i explain my version of events an prove there was no intent and offer the fare in addition to administrative costs and reasonable compensation for my actions?
I understand my actions were completely wrong and remorseful for this.
I always buy a ticket on the train and the guard didn't come round although we sat right by the drivers door, so thought the unpaid fares office would be suitable stop in this instance. ( i now know this is wrong should aways buy a ticket prior to departing).
I've used station a,b,c for protection purposes.
I couldn't believe that the inspection officer didn't warn of the consequence of joking the second they picked up on something and be, "Guys this is a very serious matter, i'll give you chance, where did you come from, is there a way you can prove you come from there via documentation with an address on?".
Thanks for any help/advice given
A group of friends and myself were looking forward to the day out and stupidly thought we'd have a joke with the ticket officer.
When we went to the the unpaid fares office, we mentioned we got on at station b. I need to make it clear we only joking and no intention to defraud the rail company, the ticket girl was in no mood for jokes and asked where we really departed from. Not realising the seriousness of the situation 2 revenue protection officers approached us and questioned us about our journey.
Station b was 1 stop from station c (walking distance and not on the route we took, which again i reiterate naively thought this would be funny). We listed all the station that was on route still not releasing the seriousness of the situation when questioned by the revenue protection officer. I made it clear after realising the situation unfolding that we came from station c and wished to pay the correct fare but was told it was now not possible.
We had no intention to pay from station b, all i can describe it as "seeing what they would say" as it was so close and ridiculous to lie due to barriers being in place etc...
I feel that i have unintentionally incriminated myself by answering yes to all the questions asked by the inspector. Questions such as,
"I put it to you that would of defrauded the rail company"
" I put it to you that without me stopping you would of resulted in paying a lesser fare"
I had cash on me to pay the correct fair there and then.
I was answering yes to leave the situation as i then felt uncomfortable and didn't want to argue a fuss and just to pay for my fare... to which i was told i cannot now do.
We were told by the inspector that you will probably have to pay the train ticket in the post. Having researched this and the prospect of a criminal record under sect5 1889 act for such a trivial (in my eyes, not in the train company) joke/ "having a joke with friends" is quite stressful.
I'm a young professional and the thought of a criminal record is soul destroying as it would certainly hamper my career aspirations that i built for 5 years and currently work in. I will undoubtedly lose my job from these naive actions and find it very hard to get reemployment.
any advice out there, this seems a friendly forum?
I think i need to make contact with the company asap and it seems in my eyes i have wrongly and unintentionally incriminated myself via the witness statement from the inspector that will undoubtedly be used against me and most probably result in a conviction. Is there a chance of out of court settlement if i explain my version of events an prove there was no intent and offer the fare in addition to administrative costs and reasonable compensation for my actions?
I understand my actions were completely wrong and remorseful for this.
I always buy a ticket on the train and the guard didn't come round although we sat right by the drivers door, so thought the unpaid fares office would be suitable stop in this instance. ( i now know this is wrong should aways buy a ticket prior to departing).
I've used station a,b,c for protection purposes.
I couldn't believe that the inspection officer didn't warn of the consequence of joking the second they picked up on something and be, "Guys this is a very serious matter, i'll give you chance, where did you come from, is there a way you can prove you come from there via documentation with an address on?".
Thanks for any help/advice given
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