Thanks for the reply. The complaint was made as the train guard suggested he should do so as he felt the inspector was rude to my son and he said he would also send a report to his supervisor. My son had the money and bought a ticket on the train. In terms of the attitude test my son gave the correct details otherwise we wouldn't have received the letter. The frustration is everyday I see people buying tickets on the train or paying at their destination station, I have done it several times this year. This is standard practice with Arrival trains, their signage says you should attempt to purchase a ticket before. It doesn't say you must. I'll send a letter however I want to see the response from Arrival before agreeing anything.

It was addressed to him. I'm a bit concerned about that as effectively he could end up with a prosecution without his parents being aware, not sure if being 17 makes him a minor.

Apologie, I have just noticed I have posted this in the Welcome forum in error and I'm not sure how to move it.

My 17 year old son arrived at a train station as the train was pulling in. He did not use the ticket machine which is located juast outside the station as this would have meant he would miss the train. He intended on purchasing a ticket from the conductor on the train. When he was on the train an inspector asked to see his ticket and my son said he did not have one but was intending to purchase one on the train. The inspector then said my son had broken a law and that he would be prosecuted for doing so. He collected some information from my son and said a letter would be issued. The train guard later apologised to my son because he felt the way my son had been spoken to was innaprorpriate and he was rude. He gave my son the details of how to make a complaint. A complaint has been logged and a holding response has been issued by the train company. Today my son received a letter from Transport Investigations Limited stating they have received a report which indicates that sufficient evidence does exist to warrant a prosecution. The file is presently with their prosecutions team who are considering whether to issue a summons. They have stated that if they do not receive a written response within 14 days a summons may be issued. His friend who got on the same train at the same time without a ticket has been sent a £30 fine in the post but no mention of a prosecution. The train company is Arriva Trains. Has anyone any advice that may help.