Govia Thames Link - Notice of Intention to prosecute **not pursuing the matter further**

[Rogc]

Good afternoon all.

 

I received a Notice of intention to prosecute from Govia Thanes Link.

 

The offence was exiting a barrier in an incorrect manner,

although they have also included entering a train for the purpose of travelling without a ticket entitling travel.

 

I was on my way back from london with my other half,

her ticket worked fine at the barrier, mine didnt.

 

 

We were rushing for our connection so I just pushed through.

I did have a valid ticket which was inspected and handed back to me by the revenue protection inspector at Kings Cross.

 

The letter is extremely worrying stating that they intend to take me to a magistrates court ,

I could end up with a criminal record,

a £1000 fine,

Prison,

Suspended sentence,

Community service,

Compensation,

Costs etc.

 

Whilst I admit I did push through the barrier, I didnt cause any damage,

this was written on the statement i gave, but I did have a valid ticket.

 

 

This was a month ago,

now Ive just got back from holiday to this letter.

They are asking me to give my account of what happened which I have already typed out.

 

Im worried sick, any advice welcome.

 

Thanks

 

Roger

[king12345]

Have you still got the ticket?

If so the fare evasion part of the issue should be easily addressed.

The other issue (exiting a barrier in an incorrect manner) is a strict liability offence (bylaw).

However I'm surprised they're even bothering to pursue this.

A lot of people push through voluntarily or by mistake, especially at rush hour and I've never heard of anyone with a valid ticket being reported for this offence.

More questions: Where were you stopped? Soon after you passed the barrier?

Are you 100% sure your ticket was valid?

[Rogc]

I no longer have the ticket, but would be able to prove I purchased 2 tickets via a credit card.

I know I should have kept it.

I am 100% sure the ticket was valid.

 

They took a photocopy and returned the original to myself.

 

I was stopped, called back about 5m after the barrier.

 

I returned to the other side with the officials and a PCSO.

I then gave my details as requested.

[dx100uk]

simply write and grovel

apologising for jumping the barriers etc etc

provide proof via CC statement that you purchased a ticket

offer to pay any reasonable admin fees and eqiv fine

to keep your name & employment status clean.

 

 

dx

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Did the TOC give you the opportunity to explain your side of the story please, or have they gone straight to the NIP?

 

You can still negotiate with them for an out of court/administrative settlement up to and including the day of the court hearing, if it gets that far.

 

HB

[Rogc]

Good news at least Ive found the ticket.

 

What I received is a Notice of Intention to Prosecute

 

, however they are requesting a response from myself

. "tell us what happened from your point of view"

 

im not sure if they are actually taking me to court, or will look at my side and then decide.

This is a very worrying situation.

 

I have already drafted a letter taking on board DX comments with an explanation of what happened and apology,

I will send this along with a copy of the ticket by recorded delivery tomorrow.

[BazzaS]

Send copies of BOTH tickets, to support your statement you both had tickets.

Otherwise you leave it open for them to wonder if you are sending in just the one valid ticket that just the one traveller had ......

[Rogc]

Good point I can also produce the extract from my credit card statement.

[dx100uk]

Keep the letter very brief

Esp the explanation

Else it will get binned

 

Major idea is your sorrow

[king12345]

It's ok to say you're sorry,

but in this case you can say that you haven't tried to evade your fare

and the gate shut on you while passing through.

 

I don't see why you should pay admin costs for something that happens thousands of times every say.

 

There's no damage to their property and no loss whatsoever.

 

They're clearly trying their luck imo

[Rogc]

I spoke to the procecutor on Wednesday.

 

 

After they reviewed the facts, he called back to say they were not pursuing the matter further.

 

 

I received written confirmation today.

What a relief.

 

 

This has caused me untold distress for something very minor.

 

 

Lesson learned, obey the rules even if you are in a rush.

[dx100uk]

hey great news

 

 

dx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Please help.

[king12345]

The inspector needed to up his figures to try reporting you for passing the gate in an incorrect manned.

Desperation