BazzaS, do you honestly believe that any money will actually be refunded by this company? I am under firm believe that if you pay the fine you will not get your money back, I have been told this by a few individuals too

Thanks for all your "help" guys. The prosecutor dropped the case today after the amazing help from Neil at Passenger Focus. See, if you fight the system sometimes you can win. Do not always sit back and let these companies take advantage. I am a season ticket holder who pays thousands a year for my train fare, I am happy that this has come to a conclusion. If I paid the fine like you guys told me to, then I would be £100 down.

You would surely thing this is a system to crack down on criminals and not to squeeze more money out of people who pay thousands a year on trains.

Hi all, I was just wondering if anybody here would be able to help. Back in November I traveled from my home in Sittingbourne to London Cannon Street as I missed my regular train to London St Pancras. I showed my ticket at Sittingbourne and took the train to Cannon Street. When I got to Cannon Street I realised that my ticket was not in my wallet and was not with my photocard. I spent some good time looking for the ticket and could not find it anywhere. The ticket inspector at Cannon Street gave me a penalty fare and told me to appeal with a duplicate ticket (he told me I would get one easily) then it would be fine. Never at any time did I refuse to pay for a ticket on the spot then get it refunded. For the rest of the month I had to buy tickets and get them refunded, so this would not of been an issue. I went straight to Farringdon Station (where I buy my ticket) to get a duplicate, I had to fill in a form and told to wait 7 working days for a duplicate. I went back a week later and was told the form had been lost and that I would have to fill out another one. I then went back again to get a duplicate ticket but was told that they were unable to print a duplicate as the ticket was about to run out. This left me pretty stuck with the appeal, but luckily my ticket was recovered and I sent in proof (photocard/travelcard). My appeal was rejected as it did not come within 21 days, I sent another letter fully explaining the above but I am yet to hear back from them. In the mean time I have spoken to Passenger Focus who have been in touch with South Eastern who have rejected my appeal, the reason? Just because they can... The helpful man from Passenger Focus is now doing what he can and trying to speak to the prosecutor. I was just wondering would I have any legs to stand on in court? If I am to ring up today I will have to pay £103 (up from £43). I am so against paying this amount as firstly, I cannot afford to and secondly, I had already paid £537.