TLF Bus Fare Evasion Help Needed - ** RESOLVED **

[rogerblack]

Hi ,

 

I need some help in how to go about this ,

 

the story is

earlier today my son got on a tfl bus forgot to swipe in

 

2 stops later a inspector comes in and asks for his oyster card

 

he gives it and they say he did not swipe in and they then asked for his name and address

by this time he is thinking of his job and a criminal record

 

he was so flustered that he gave right name but wrong address and wrong date of birth

they called someone on the phone ,I presume to check his details.

 

They got off the next stop as this was happening

he says he was so terrified of the consequences that he run away from the inspectors.

I dont think anyone gave any chase though.

 

I had a go at him and insisted that he go hand himself to TFL

or relevant authority and opologise and pay the fine and hope they understand.

 

How would I go about this ? any help would be appreciated.

[dx100uk]

best idea is to let it run

 

 

and await any letter that might come .

 

 

if you type in our searcg cag of the top red bar

 

 

TFL bus

or alike

you'll see the process there.

 

 

dx

[rogerblack]

Thanks, but how would they get a letter if the address is wrong ? ps forgot to mention they still have the oyster card and I think it is unregistered.

[dx100uk]

that's why I said might.

[Old-CodJA]

Is your son over 18 and is he registered to vote?

[rogerblack]

He is over 18 and is registered to vote and more of the story has come to light , it seems he gave his right name and postcode so I presume they just need to look up on the electoral register to see that even if the wrong d.o.b and wrong house was given he should be easy to find ?

[Old-CodJA]

He is over 18 and is registered to vote and more of the story has come to light , it seems he gave his right name and postcode so I presume they just need to look up on the electoral register to see that even if the wrong d.o.b and wrong house was given he should be easy to find ?

 

 

Exactly so, but sadly, by him actually giving a false address that compounds his difficulty in that an additional charge can be alleged.

[rogerblack]

I wonder if there is a way to pre-empt this by coming forward to the relevant people ?

[honeybee13]

I wonder if there is a way to pre-empt this by coming forward to the relevant people ?

 

We normally recommend waiting until correspondence arrives from TfL so your son will have a reference for his case and the name of the person dealing with it.

 

Do you have any paperwork from the day of the incident?

 

HB

[firstclassx]

I would personally pre-empt this one.

 

I would contact them immediately with the correct name/address/DOB explaining what has happened

because TfL will not do any further address checks

- they will apply to the Magistrates' Court for a (criminal) summons based on the details provided by your son.

 

Your son won't receive any papers etc, (because he gave a false address),

so will eventually be found guilty in his absence at court, with a heavy fine + costs.

 

 

Eventually, when that remains unpaid, the court appointed agents (Bailiffs, police etc),

will be on his case for non-payment of fines.

 

 

The longer that goes on, the higher the chance of a "no bail" arrest warrant being obtained,

where your son will be circulated as "wanted" and detained until brought before the court

to explain his lack of payment.

 

 

Because he has given a false address, he will almost certainly not be able to get the conviction set aside.

 

If you just "let it run", it will spiral into a conviction in his absence.

[rogerblack]

There is no paperwork as he run away when they got off the bus , only thing was he wrote that name and address on a their notepad , but he did not sign anything . to cut the story short all he did was write real name and fake address and DOB and the got of bus with them and run away.

[firstclassx]

There is no paperwork as he run away when they got off the bus , only thing was he wrote that name and address on a their notepad , but he did not sign anything . to cut the story short all he did was write real name and fake address and DOB and the got of bus with them and run away.

 

That's my point - there would be a lot of paperwork (and there will be), he just won't receive it as it will go to whatever false address he gave. If he had given his correct address, he would receive all the paperwork and have a chance of sorting it out. His name and date of birth, along with a vague knowledge of his whereabouts will be enough to find him eventually.

 

He will just be convicted in his absence, and you won't find that out until police or a court bailiff turns up looking for him in 6-12 months time.

[Chris56000]

Hi!

 

Member Firstclassx's advice is spot-on!

 

I know from personal experience of myself at that age it can be extremely upsetting to find yourself on the wrong side of officialdom even if you think you've only made a minor mistake and/or one that doesn't matter!

 

Your son *MUST*, as soon as he feels composed enough, write a letter to TfL explaining he was so upset and flustered that he gave his address incorrectly in error, state the correct details on the letter and that he is sincerely sorry!

 

*DON'T* add anything else to it, once the letter has been posted *WAIT* for further correspondence from TfL then post here again with the latest update.

 

As other members have said because TfL's prosecution machinery can still roll on thro' the courts and magistrates, etc., without anyone realising it until it's too late to correct matters, it's most important that TfL are not left in a position of proceeding un-beknown to your son and yourself!

 

It's only about 3 1/2 days since the incident described and I wouldn't think TfL would have gone very far with this, or even at all at this early stage so an apologetic letter with the correct details on it sent promptly *with proof of posting* - free of charge from post office - should arrive in TfL's hands in good enough time for them to consider your son was extremely upset by this mistake and take this into account.

[rogerblack]

So it seems my son actually gave his mothers address so it come to her and she passed it on to me and we have a result , all they are asking for is a 80 quid fine ,40 quid payable if paid within x amount of days.

I will pay for him via the website and make sure he pays me back and give him a stern talking too!

I think he has learnt his lesson so thanks for all the help and replies above.

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

That's a relief, thank you for letting us know. I hope you resolve this once and for all and that your young man has learned his lesson.

 

I'll change your thread title.

 

HB

[Chris56000]

Hi!

 

Excellent!

 

TfL have accepted an "Out Of Court Settlement/PF" from your son and that will end the matter!

 

(Mods, another happy result that can be closed now if desired me thinks!)

 

Chris Williams

[honeybee13]

Hi!

 

Excellent!

 

TfL have accepted an "Out Of Court Settlement/PF" from your son and that will end the matter!

 

(Mods, another happy result that can be closed now if desired me thinks!)

 

Chris Williams

 

Chris, the thread title has been changed to update the situation. We don't normally close threads as soon as the problem is resolved.

 

HB

[Rosy77]

An out of court settlement -

 

From my own experience - its best to be as honest as you can, TFL are clever and won't tolerate any lies!