Hi all, Thanks for the words of advice here. Just by way of update; I wrote a grovelling letter to TFL's prosecutor, apologising for my transgression and committing to pay fees, fines etc. They wrote back to me, with an offer to settle out of court for £400. I took them up on the offer to avoid a criminal record. Thanks

Thanks both. I was travelling from Hammersmith to Leicester Square. I never mentioned Acton Town, nor do I think I've ever been there... Point taken about them probably re-trying me even in the unlikely event that I could get out of it with such a technicality. I'm going to write to them, throwing myself at their mercy in the hope that I avoid a criminal record.

Bazza, thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it. The charge that I am to answer specifically states that I did not have a valid ticket at Acton Town. I was stopped at Leicester Square. Is that a defence for me? As I am absolutely not guilty of having an invalid ticket at that particular station.

Hi HB, thanks for the response. It states: That you are on 20 to January 2015 at Acton town did enter a compulsory ticket area without having you a valid ticket. Contrary to bylaw 17 (1) of the transport for London railway byelaws made under para 26 of schedule 11 to the greater London authority act of 1999 and confirmed under sec 67 of the transport act 1962

Dear all, Some little advice please. I've read other people's threads on the same subject but cannot find all the information I seek. In January, I was caught with my g/f's student oyster card. I did only do it a handful of times but will not try and justify my actions. When I first received a letter from TFL, I wrote back with a full apology, an offer to pay fines and assoc. costs and explaining how I have never had been in trouble with the law before and how negatively this could affect my future career prospects. I have received a mag. court summons this morning for the 20th of May. From what I've read on here, I think I'm going to write to the prosecutor from TFL requesting a settlement out of court and hope for the best. My questions to you are: if I end up pleading guilty, how serious will the charge be? Will it be a CCJ? Will future employers see it when applying for a new job? I'm due to visit the US at the end of the year, will this stop me entering? Also, I hear about people getting out of things on technicalities... They have noted in the summons that I was stopped at Acton Town station... When in fact I was nowhere near there. Would a wily solicitor get me off on something like that?? Thanks in advance