It is clear that you recognise this is a serious matter so far as the TOC are concerned, whatever the motivation behind your action, the evidence makes clear that you did 'alter the date on a previously used ticket with intent to avoid the correct fare due.' As dx100uk says, you may be able to convince the TOC prosecutors office to allow you to settle this without Court action. There are no guarantees, but a concisely worded letter of apology may be sufficient to allow the company to dispose of the matter by administrative settlement It is really important not to waffle in your letter. Long rambling and pleading letters can los

so do as post 2 then chance your arm tomorrow and ring the solicitors tell them you are going to set this aside as it was statute barred by the time they issued the claimform and that you will claim back the £255 fee from them.. however you are prepared to forget about that if they will set it aside by mutual consent FOC now. oh and one other thing no EE registered the default when they sold the debt on..., a DCA cant do that . their name is next to it as their name replaces that of the OC when they purchased the debt.