PLEASE HELP seek advice about train fair

[needhelp-train]

Hi PLease some one help me,

I have a friend who is stressing out almost to the breaking point, please help me with giving some advice. Please Please.

 

He got a on a train to work and forgot his weekly travel pass at home which he had already paid his weekly pass to London, which he does every week but simply forgot it that dat, he now even has a record of the payment n his bank statement. When he realised he it was too late, he went to the train guard to tell him but the train gaurd was really defensive and aggressive and said he would have to pay a massive fine, which scared him and for a stupid reason thinking he did not want to tarnish his own name, he gave a false name but his correct birthdate and address!

 

They proceeded to send a fine to the house, but he failed to open the first letter not knowing who the false name was as he didnt register it was the false name he had used as it was just a random name, so then by the next letter, too much of a coincidence he opened it and it was a court summoned for the prosecusion of travelling without a ticket.

 

He is scared that he will get a criminal record by using a false name to the train guard, will this happen? He wants to go to court but it is not his name, he has paid the train pass so he has not illegally got on the train as he has a payment record, but he did give a false name and this is now more of the issue.

 

Please help, what should he do next?

[SRPO]

Two options:

 

1) Be honest, attend court & explain what happened.

2) Be dishonest, send the summons back as 'not known at this address'.

[needhelp-train]

Which one is the way to go? And will it be a criminal offense if an incorrect name has been used to a train guard?

[Nystagmite]

he has paid the train pass so he has not illegally got on the train

 

He didn't travel with a valid train ticket, therefore, got on the train illegally.

[needhelp-train]

I understand that part, but they usually give you a chance to explain if you did have a pass at home etc...

 

However what do you think in relation to false name being given?

[SRPO]

Only your 'friend' can decide what to do now, its gone past the point of asking about procedures for carrying tickets.

[needhelp-train]

Thank you so much for the replys. I really appreciate it.

 

Does anyone know if it is a criminal offence to give a false name to a train gaurd?

[SRPO]

Yes it is.

[Old-CodJA]

Yes, there is a requirement under Section 5.1 to show a valid ticket on demand, or pay the fare due if asked, or give his/her name and address when requested.

 

If a traveller fails to show a valid ticket and fails or refuses to pay the fare due on demand, s/he may be charged with an offence under Section 5.3.a of The Regulation of Railways Act (1889)

 

Giving false details to rail staff subsequent to the above is an additional offence that may be charged contrary to Section 5.3.c of the same Act.