Hi All Today recieved a confirmation letter from justices clerk that the case has been withdrawn and no further action required. Once again thank you all for your help and support especially WTLH, OldcodJ & HB

Yes i agree Its best ring them on the hearing date and find out if the case is still booked for trail or withdrawn

Thanks a lot wtlh

Hi* Today I've paid the agreed settlement charges over telephone and they gave me a payment reference number and they confirmed me that the case will be withdrawn now. Is there any way to confirm whether they did or not cause I've read one issue in the forum where a settlement has been agreed out of the court but he received a court fine after that. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?357029-Out-of-court-settlement-but-was-still-sent-a-letter-from-the-court

Thanks OC and HB This forum is really helpful and the advice is really invaluable Many thanks and kind regards to all.

Hi All, I'm glad to inform that TfL has agreed out of court settlement but they asked me to pay the administration cost and sign a declaration which says "accept guilt as charged" does it mean that even if I settle outside the court I will get a criminal record? I'm fine to pay the monies but the above sentence bothers me. Thanks

Thank you very much Wtlh, I've alreay written to TfL last week explaining the situation and sent my bank statement enclosed with a proof of payment to Tfl requesting them to consider my case under section 10 of prosecution policy. They replied to me and asking for the oyster number which I don't remember now cause its long time (nearly 1 year now)i stopped using that oyster and all i remember now is that was not working and chucked it out can they not find out with the payment reference on bank statement or can I call oyster department to give me the card details for this particular payment reference I don't know what to reply now

Thanks OC, They have not charged me for Byelaw offence the hearing letter says without having previously paid your fare of £4.00 and an intent to avoid payment thereof contrary to section 5 (3)a of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. I wasn't attempting to evade the fare and I had previously purchased a travel card on oyster which was valid for zones I was traveling for the journey, i just wasn't aware i didn't have it on my person I don't really accept the offence, i believe i should have been issued a penalty fare but it's officers decision final and binding. I accept its my mistake not checking the oysters before journey but I believe Tfl should have been given me the opportunity to appeal or resolve the situation outside court. Any advise?

I am really worried got struck in between how can I accept as guilty when I've not done any thing intentionally. Can I ask Tfl for out of court settlement? Any body have any experience with this please help. I've given my driving license

Hi Have been to the court and they asked me if am pleading guilty or not, I pleaded not guilty and explained the situation to the magistrate. They gave me further date in October for a full hearing and trail and asked to come with any witness. Can you please advice what will happen next? Thanks

Thank you very much for detailed response. My wife's oyster card was unregistered adult oyster with out any photograph and discounts like mine so there wasn't any difference between our cards this was the root cause of confusion. I came to this forum to get help to solicit my case because I do not know railway law and I know I made a mistake not an offence but it does not matter what i think no one has suggested any thing how I can appeal after all we are humans we all make mistakes but after reading all this I am really disappointed that there is no place for innocent people in law of you don't have ticket then you committed an offence irrespective of the situation and circumstances. Thanks again for your time and patience to go through my posts.

I'm not saying that I had a valid ticket at the time of journey and this proof of payment should be treated as equivalent to a ticket. I accept it's my responsibility to show a correct ticket on demand by any railway official, the only thing i defended is my intention. He said i've committed a crime i said no its because of a genuine mix up with my wife's oyster card(2-3 zone). I was not carrying my own oyster which is valid for the zones I was traveling he was reluctant to agree on this he replied that i've committed a crime and he wanted to call the police I insisted that I spend £2000 anually on rail tickets and i am a honest citizen how can you call me a criminal for a mistake I told him that I will appeal against this he took my details and let me go. I waited for 2 months and did not get any penalty fare letter when moving home I contacted the penalty fares and prosecution dept and wanted to give my new address they asked me to provide the ref no. I said i've not received anything yet then they took my name and date of birth and told me they could not find anything against my name told it might be a warning and nothing they can do now.* Got this notice after 8 months to pay a court fine. I think the officer took me personally when I challenged him that I'll only pay a penalty fare and not done anything intentionally wrong as I have a correct oyster but could not show at the time of inspection and will prove that I always pay a right fare that can be evidenced from my bank statements as far as 1 year back shows that every week I purchased a zone 1 travel card Please advice

Can I not contact the railway company as I have proof of buying a correct ticket from my bank statement. Thanks in advance for all your advice.

Hi all, I've been to court and they set the judgement aside but they gave me an adjournment notice and asked me to appear next month in the court which issued the original judgement . Can I not contact the railway com

Update: I went to the local magistrate office today but they asked me to come back on wednesday morning.

Thank you very much for the valuable advise. I've booked with Magistrates office to do a statutory declaration tommorrow. Do I need to present anything except the letter from court and my ID. Thanks once again

Hiya all, Thanks for the response to my query. Below is extract from the letter i received and this is the only one I received, Was living at different address when I gave my details to revenue officer at Tfl. When I changed my address I called the penalty fares and procecution line to update my details but to my surprise they told me there is no record with my name and DOB they also said it might be a warning as they don't have anything against me on their computer (this is approx 25 days after the incident) I was assured and did not do anything after that but shockingly this letter came after 8 months and shook my nerves. Your help and advise is much appreciated. Here's the letter: London South West and West Courts London Collection and Compliance Centre PO Box 31089 London SW1P 3WP Payments 0300 790 9901 ww.direct.gov.uk/payacourtfine Information 24/7 020 7556 8500 websiteAP31714 Division:...... Account number:......... My details Further steps notice The amount you owe is £549. As you have failed to make payment as directed, you are hereby given notice that one or more of the following steps listed below will be taken against you: -Issue a Warrant of distress for the purpose of levying the sum due. -Register the account in the Register of Judgements, Orders and Fines, which could restrict future credit options available to you and make it difficult to get loans, mortgages and credit cards. -Make an Attachment of Earnings Order (for deduction to be made from your salary) or an application for benefit deductions (for deductions made from your benefit). -Make a vehicle clamping order. -Refer your case to court, which may decide to increase your fine by 50%, take further action or commit you to prison. -Take any further steps as permitted under provisions of fine collection regulations which apply to other enforcement power of a magistrates'court. Payment in full, within 10 working days of this notic will cancel any further action. Please contact this office immediately if you cannot pay as directed. Appeal You have a right to appeal to the Court against the Fines Officer's decision. Such appeal must be made in writing, stating the reasons for your appeal and supported by any written evidence you have. It must be received by this office, at the above address, within 10 working days from the date of this notice. Please mark all correspondence for the attention of the Fines Officer.

Hi funkygrunch, I have recieved a similar letter like yours. Can you please update what happend with your case I am really worried Thanks