hi and thanks for your responses... I've already written a letter and offered to pay the penalty fine several times (once when I was being cautioned and every time in my subsequent communication with the prosecutor) it just seems like they're determined to prosecute - which technically they can because i did get on without a ticket. However, what really gets me is their inconsistency: if they prosecuted everyone that would be fine but some people get away with a penalty fare, some people are allowed to settle out of court with cases much worse than mine, but me - because he's taken a dislike to me, I'm being prosecuted. Slightly unfair I think... I guess that's what happens when you have power: you can't help but play God with people's lives. edit: oh and I don't travel all the time to zone 6 hence the zone 1-2 oyster

hi - sorry for the very late reply Mike. Thanks for your advice. A quick update on this case - it seems the prosecutor didn't take kindly to my letters and have taken a dislike to me and is determined to prosecute. I've gotten a solicitor who has dealt with this prosecutor before and said that said prosecutor has agreed to settle out of court for many of his other clients for much worse offenses - yet he's seems to be unwilling this time. It seems very unfair and his decision to prosecute or not seems based on personal judgement rather than the facts of the case. Given that this will result in a criminal record - which I have to declare when applying for jobs/going travelling etc - I'm not entirely sure what to do... my solicitor has made an offer to settle which has been rejected. I'm a bit fed up really and I'm not sure that I can do anything about it - I haven't been arrested or had any contact with the police over this matter, so how can I get a criminal record? It doesn't seem very fair

Back in May I boarded the train without a ticket - stupid of me I know but I was late for work. There were ticket inspectors on the train so I went up to one of them and asked if i could buy a ticket. He refused and so I offered to pay the penalty fare. Out of desperation I produced my Oyster card which I use to travel on the underground. Unfortunately this is only zone's 1-2 and i was travelling from zone 6. He took this as I deliberately fare evade between zones 6 and 2 (not true) and do on regular occasions (also not true). However, I offered to pay the penalty fare, he refused and proceeded to place me under caution and interogate me in full view of the other passengers for the 40 minute journey to Waterloo. He then confiscated my oyster card and sent me on my way saying that I would hear from the prosecution office. They sent me a letter last month inviting me to state whether there were any mitigating circumstances. They didn't tell me what they were going to charge me with, so I sent one back saying can I see the officers report so I can respond specifically to the points raised. They then sent me one back saying they;re taking me to court (I didn't get a chance to respond to the report). Anyway - long story: I need a lawyer - does anyone know of anyone who has experience in this matter? Thanks in advance