Caught using brother's 11-15 oyster card with more than one use - prosecution being faced. Please help

[BrachioRose]

Hi guys,

 

On the 15th i got caught using my little brothers 11-15 oyster card. Im in second year of university. I have received a letter stating that i may be prosecuted.

I tapped through and an inspector told me to come with him, where he took details of where i live, where i was going etc. I wasn't argumentative at all. He also confiscated my brother's oyster. For the past 2 months, i have used the card for around ~10 times this August, but have not used it in July. I have used it multiple times (>50) last year however, but without a significant pattern. 

I am ashamed for my actions, but I was struggling for money as I live in a single parent household with a sick unemployed mother and siblings, and had to work and save money, so I would use my little brothers oyster to save money. The increased cost of living was really tough to navigate.  However these are not excuses for my actions and I do understand that everybody is struggling at these times.

Having a criminal record will really impact my career, as I want to do medicine, and such a criminal conviction will affect employment. I would really appreciate an out of court conviction and pay any fines, but I do hear Tfl is tough in handing those out and prefers to handle matters in court.
Please can you help me in how I should respond to the letter. I am really scared. 

Thank you.
Below is the letter I received attached.

IMG_0826 (1).pdf

[BankFodder]

https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/search/?q="Oyster card"&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=or

[BrachioRose]

This is my current draft:
Please help amend it or point out any problems:
Thank you

Dear TFL,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions.

I sincerely apologize to TFL, its dedicated staff, and the public for the undue strain and additional costs my actions have incurred. I recognize the importance of each passenger contributing to TFL's operations by paying their fares, and deeply regret my oversight in upholding this collective responsibility.

I wholeheartedly acknowledge the gravity of my actions and deeply regret my lapse in judgment. In hindsight, the weight of my choices has left me filled with shame and anxiety, causing restless nights and a scattered mind. While it's no justification, the overwhelming pressures from the escalating cost of living and the tough choices between basic necessities led me astray.

My situation is worsened by the fact that I live in a single parent household with a sick mother that has depression and so she is unable to work. I have to look after and take care of her, as well as my siblings. This is also the main reason as to why I go to University in London; So that I may stay near her and my family.  My mum has read the paper and now is extremely anxious. She has always emphasized the importance of integrity and discouraged such behaviour.

Should this issue progress to court, leading to a criminal conviction, it would jeopardize my future in medicine—a profession that demands utmost integrity. Such an outcome would have profound economic, social, and emotional repercussions, not just for me, but for my entire family.

I've always upheld the law and am committed to ensuring such an oversight doesn't recur. As university resumes, I'll purchase a monthly travel card and regularly top up my student Oyster card, using them exclusively for my commutes. I'll also advocate among peers the importance of fare compliance, sharing my experience as a caution. This incident has been a sobering lesson, and the sheer weight of its implications will serve as a lasting deterrent for me.

While I don't intend for my explanations to serve as excuses and fully accept accountability for my actions, I hope you can grasp the profound impact a criminal prosecution would have on both my family and I. I am ready to promptly settle any outstanding fares and cover additional administrative expenses stemming from my oversight. I earnestly request your consideration for an out-of-court resolution.

In closing, I wish to underscore my profound remorse for my actions and assure both TFL and the relevant authorities of my commitment to never repeating this error. I've taken this incident to heart and truly believe in the power of redemption. I hope to be afforded an opportunity to rectify my misstep and demonstrate my sincerity.

Should you need any additional information or evidence to assist in the resolution I'm seeking, please feel free to reach out to me. Thank you.

Kind regards,

[BrachioRose]

Would it be advisable to send my response via post AND email?

Thank you

[dx100uk]

cant hurt but we've not seen email ignored. just they sometimes just dont respond and drop it or take while to reply.

i think you are grovelling too much . i counted +15.... cut those down, and expand on the harm of criminal conviction would cause/.

if there is no pattern over 2mts then you might get lucky but repeated same destination/route might present issues if they ask wat was your brothers reason for the trips  but not seen that yet.

how old are you please?

dx

[BrachioRose]

I am 20 years old.

[BrachioRose]

I would use the trips to go study at my university library and to do some exams. My last few routes did have a repeated destination as i would use it to travel to the library.

[dx100uk]

so how many in the last 2 mts and when was the last use before the day you were detected and stopped?

[BrachioRose]

Im not sure what exactly to change in regards to the grovelling. Maybe remove the part stating that my mother is worried?

Im not sure how to check the exact amount of times ive used my brothers oyster since it got confiscated. probably around 10-15 times. Though id also use my contactless a lot of the times. The last day i used it was the day before, on the 14th. 

Ive changed it again:

Dear TFL,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions.

I sincerely apologize to TFL, its dedicated staff, and the public for the undue strain and additional costs my actions have incurred. I recognize the importance of each passenger contributing to TFL's operations by paying their fares, and deeply regret my oversight in upholding this collective responsibility.

I wholeheartedly acknowledge the gravity of my actions and deeply regret my lapse in judgment. In hindsight, the weight of my choices has left me filled with shame and anxiety. While it's no justification, the overwhelming pressures from the escalating cost of living and the tough choices between basic necessities led me astray.

My situation is worsened by the fact that I live in a single parent household with a sick mother that has depression and so she is unable to work.  I have to look after and take care of her, as well as my younger siblings.

As I am studying biochemistry in University, should this issue progress to court leading to a criminal conviction, it would jeopardize my future in both medicine and biochemistry —a profession that demands utmost integrity. Such a result would significantly impact the financial, societal, and emotional well-being of both myself and my family as a whole.

I've always upheld the law and am committed to ensuring such an oversight doesn't recur. As university resumes, I'll purchase a monthly travel card and regularly top up my student Oyster card, using them exclusively for my commutes. I'll also advocate among peers the importance of fare compliance, sharing my experience as a caution. This incident has been a sobering lesson, and the sheer weight of its implications will serve as a lasting deterrent for me.

While I don't intend for my explanations to serve as excuses and fully accept accountability for my actions, I hope you can grasp the profound impact a criminal prosecution would have on both my family and I. I offer to promptly settle any outstanding fares and cover additional administrative expenses stemming from my oversight. I earnestly request your consideration for an out-of-court resolution.

I wish to underscore my profound remorse for my actions and assure both TFL and the relevant authorities of my commitment to never repeating this error. I've taken this incident to heart, and I hope to be afforded an opportunity to rectify my misstep and demonstrate my sincerity.

Should you need any additional information or evidence to assist in the resolution I'm seeking, please feel free to reach out to me.

Evidence is attached below.

Thank you.

Kind Regards,
 

Also ive bought a monthly card for my oyster which i think i should talk about 

[BrachioRose]

I also volunteer to work with children at my local boxing club. Should i talk about how this conviction would cause me to stop being able to work there due to enhanced DBS checks and the nature of the work?

Sorry for the multiple questions

[BrachioRose]

Ok thank you everybody and thank you dx100uk. I have handed my letter in and sent an email.