He didn't actually ask me to pay for the fare. At first he asked for my ticket. I showed him the oyster card and he checked it using a machine. Then he asked where I had come form. I didn't admit to being on the train at first. I realise it looked dishonest but I panicked at first. Later I offered to pay the fare and he said my chance had passed when I said i was not on the train.

I'm not concerned so much about proving who was right and wrong or avoiding a penalty charge or a court fine. I understand that the facts say i was not in possesion of a valid ticket etc. I'm concerned with having a criminal record for this.

You are right. Had the ability to buy an Oyster travelcard existed at the National Rail station I would have bought my monthly travelcard there. I intended to do so at my destination but was stopped by the inspector before I could do so. The problem I have is that I purchased a ticket at the National Rail station and used it to get past the barriers. This ticket was not valid for the whole journey. I doubt they'd be interested in my reasons for purchasing a ticket that didn't cover the full journey. Going on the facts i did not have a valid ticket. Also, the statement produced by the inspector amounted to an admission of guilt. I did not have the time or inclination to argue with him as I was by then almost an hour late for work. Also, all the facts were against me and I had already initially told him I wasn't on the train (more out of panic than any attempt to deceive). I understand you are not a lawyer but appreciate your replies nonetheless.

This was an oyster monthly travel card which had expired the day before. It would have been valid for the whole journey.

thank you for your reply No he didn't ask me. When he initially approached me I didn't admit to having been on the train therefore, when it was later proven I was, he said the matter shall be reported and the chance to pay for my ticket had passed. Because I had a SW trains ticket only covering part of my journey. I was going to renew and use my oyster card once I got to the underground. He questioned how I had got past the barriers at my departure station and I was honset and showed him the ticket which he confiscated as 'evidence'. Given the facts in his possession and the statement he has wriiten, intent on my part appears to be as clear as day. All my reasons would be seen as circumstances/hypothetical not facts. I wouldn't so much like a way out of this, more so I'd like to know what happens if they prosecute? Whats the likely punishment? I can obtain tfl records showing that my oyster expired the day before and that this hasn't happened before would this mean more leniency is shown?

Can anybody advise me to the South West trains policy for penalty fares/’fare dodging’. I was stopped without a valid ticket and the inspector had reason to believe that it was my intention to avoid paying. He wrote a lengthy report of our exchange and said he would be reporting this matter to South West trains who would then send me a letter. He said that he could have asked me to pay a penalty fair but, as I denied trying to avoid paying altogether when he first approached me, the matter would be reported instead. I tried to determine the procedures that follow but he was not at liberty to discuss this. Can I expect a court summons, a £1000 fine, a criminal record or just a penalty notice in the post? I have no idea what happens now. They have clear evidence that I tried to avoid paying in the form of a ticket that didn’t cover my whole journey. However they also have evidence that it’s my first offence as my oyster card (now in their possession) had expired the day before. The inspector in question was present at my arrival destination not on the train itself. I won’t bore you with the circumstances behind my non payment but any response would be welcome. Thank you.

Can anybody advise me to the South West trains policy for penalty fares/’fare dodging’. I was stopped without a valid ticket and the inspector had reason to believe that it was my intention to avoid paying. He wrote a lengthy report of our exchange and said he would be reporting this matter to South West trains who would then send me a letter. He said that he could have asked me to pay a penalty fair but, as I denied trying to avoid paying altogether when he first approached me, the matter would be reported instead. I tried to determine the procedures that follow but he was not at liberty to discuss this. Can I expect a court summons, a £1000 fine, a criminal record or just a penalty notice in the post? I have no idea what happens now. They have clear evidence that I tried to avoid paying in the form of a ticket that didn’t cover my whole journey. However they also have evidence that it’s my first offence as my oyster card (now in their possession) had expired the day before. I won’t bore you with the circumstances behind my non payment but any response would be welcome. Thank you.