Hello All Just a quick one to update you on the situation I described a few weeks ago, and to offer a bit of hope. After getting caught travelling without a ticket on a First Capital Connect Train (totally down to my own impatience and stupidity) I got caught and written up by an inspector. I waited for my letter to come through, planning to respond - and hopefully avoid prosecution - by pointing out that I actually ended up paying a penalty fare subsequent to getting written up. Well, last week I recieved my letter and - to my amazement and delight - it said that, while they would normally prosecute, on this occasion they were prepared to settle the matter on payment of a fine of £36.40 (the outstanding fare plus admin costs). I understand that this is a hell of a fortunate outcome, and I am mightily relieved. They gave no specific reason as to why they decided not to prosecute, but the inspector who dealt with me was very reasonable and not an idiot...I wonder if he had anything to do with it. Either way, many many thanks to those who gave advice on this forum. And to anyone who may be browsing through this in a panic, remember that the worst case scenario does not always come to pass. Good luck! Craig

Hello Guys That would be brilliant if it turns out to be the case. It has been a couple of weeks since the incident, and I am still yet to recieve a letter. I guess I will just sit tight and wait for the letter, and then make my case when it arrives. Thanks for your help - it is very much appreciated. Fingers crossed!

Hello there, Reading through this forum has been really useful, so I will try to avoid covering old ground. But I'd really appreicate your advice on my situation, Underground. In a nutshell, I was recently caught and written up for travelling on an overground train wthout a ticket. There was a long queue at the train station and, after waiting five or six minutes, my train arrived and I stupidly decided to bolt for it. When I got to my destination I saw that there were ticket inspectors inside the station. I totally panicked and started walking back toward the platform, not knowing what to do. Naturally I was intercepted by an inspector at this point. He began to question me straight away, and I admitted that I had failed to buy a ticket after rushing for the train, and had panicked on seeing the inspectors. He sat me down to take my details - he did caution me, but did not state that I was not obliged to remain with him. Before long he let me go. As I walked into the station I was asked for a ticket by one of a team of inspectors checking tickets of everyone leaving the platform. I stated that I didn't have one, and was told to pay a penalty fare. I informed the inspector that I had just been written up on the platform, but she proceeded to issue me with the penalty fare, which I paid. Like others on this forum, I am in a profession that would mean a conviction would be devastating to my future employment prospects. I intend to plead stupidity and panic when the letter comes, and to state quite honsetly that this is my first offence. Any advice would be appreciated, but my specific query is around me being written up and then subsequently being made to pay a Penalty Fare. Given that I have already been penalised once for my offence, would it be appropriate for me to potentially punished again should they choose to prosecute. Is it worth me citing this in my letter to them (along with the inspector's failure to inform me that I was not obliged to stay, the threat to my career of a criminal conviction and - of course - my genuine embarassment and contrition)? As I said, any pointers or strategies appreciated to help me out of this stupid pickle I have got myself into... Thanks!:-|