Received Witness Statement for short-ticketing/GTR/ need some advice

[jazy1124]

Hello, I just joined the forum after I was caught by a revenue inspection officer this month.

I have read a lot of threads which I find very useful and prepare myself for the worst-case scenario.

I normally travel (short ticketing from Gatwick to Falmer) from Falmer to London Bridge or Farringdon once or twice a week. I regret my misjudgements and will not deny them - I have done stupid things, thinking I was being clever to save up money. I bought a ticket from Gatwick to Falmer to save roughly £9 for a round trip, and this happened repeatedly around 5 months (roughly 20 times when I counted). This is my first time being caught, but this is not my first time committing this.

On that day, I travelled from home (one of the London stations) change in London Bridge (as I just tapped in from the Underground) to Falmer and got caught on my return journey from Falmer to London Bridge with a return ticket from Gatwick to Falmer. I was freaked out and got a ticket from Gatwick to London Bridge when I saw an officer. I got accused by the GTR officer of buying a ticket when the inspector had just arrived, and I just wanted to get out of the situation so I said I forgot. I was asked some questions under caution. They looked at my Trainline history very briefly before questioning me, and I only use the Trainline app for buying tickets (I didn't know before checking this forum that they could access my app and tap in/out records).

At that time, I gave my details and correct address. For the question as to how I got on the train was the honest answer, I scanned my ticket from Falmer, went to Lewes, and rushed between Lewes-Gatwick-London Bridge). However, I was not honest with them regarding other questions and said I just forgot to buy a ticket. Also, it was my ignorance, but I believed by then it would be okay if I had purchased a ticket, which was not tapped in, so I answered that I thought I had a valid ticket for the journey, and I didn't have the intention to avoid paying the fare - I regret this now that I was not fully honest. They took a picture of my tickets and said I'd receive a letter from them. I said sorry when I left. No matter what, things already happened. Given the seriousness of my case, I am expecting the worst-case scenario, which is the court action for a series of fare evasion.

My questions are:

1) I have paid full price since then, and I will make sure that I have a valid ticket. Would this help my case to show that I have learnt a lesson and will not happen again?

2) I gave the correct address, but I am moving in the next four weeks and planning to go work abroad for a month. Apart from redirecting my Royal Mail address, should I notify GTR that I am moving soon and will not be in the country in December and January? If that's the case, should I write apologetically and let them know about the change in my circumstances regarding the address and travel (i.e. I want to apologise for my action and have learnt my lesson)?

3) When I receive any letter from GTR, I am planning to be honest and faithful and profusely apologetic even though I wasn't at the time I was questioned. I believe this would be the right move for me, but I wanted to hear what others think about how I need to approach this when the worst comes.

 

[island]

How are you getting through the gates at Farringdon/London Bridge?

 

[Haywain]

1) I have paid full price since then, and I will make sure that I have a valid ticket. Would this help my case to show that I have learnt a lesson and will not happen again?

Yes, it demonstrates that you have learned a lesson and will act to verify the sincerity of you apology when the time comes.

2) I gave the correct address, but I am moving in the next four weeks and planning to go work abroad for a month. Apart from redirecting my Royal Mail address, should I notify GTR that I am moving soon and will not be in the country in December and January? If that's the case, should I write apologetically and let them know about the change in my circumstances regarding the address and travel (i.e. I want to apologise for my action and have learnt my lesson)?

Don't write yet. We normally suggest waiting until you have received a letter but if you get close to that time then it may be appropriate to send a letter asking them to communicate with you by email.

3) When I receive any letter from GTR, I am planning to be honest and faithful and profusely apologetic even though I wasn't at the time I was questioned. I believe this would be the right move for me, but I wanted to hear what others think about how I need to approach this when the worst comes.

We advise being honest and addressing the matters raised in the letter you will be sent. You do not need to address other matters but equally should not lie to hide the facts. However, if the letter you receive only mentions the one incident, you would be wise to assume that they will find out about others even if they are not mentioned.

 

[jazy1124]

How are you getting through the gates at Farringdon/London Bridge?

There is no gate between the Met Line and Thameslink at Farringdon. And at London Bridge - I change from underground and just tap in (using contactless) and hope they charge a minimal amount or sometimes get a short fare ticket where I can get a barcode. Sometimes they overcharged when I just tapped in, and then I just moved on.

 

[WesternLancer]

My questions are:

1) I have paid full price since then, and I will make sure that I have a valid ticket. Would this help my case to show that I have learnt a lesson and will not happen again?

Yes, as per other reply on this but if you can do anything like buy a flexi season ticket or season ticket (or railcard if valid to use on the journey) would could show and state that as for example a season ticket is a clear financial purchase going into the future that helps illustrate even more that it won't happen again. But I appreciate that needs to work for you financially in terms of the savings

2) I gave the correct address, but I am moving in the next four weeks and planning to go work abroad for a month. Apart from redirecting my Royal Mail address, should I notify GTR that I am moving soon and will not be in the country in December and January? If that's the case, should I write apologetically and let them know about the change in my circumstances regarding the address and travel (i.e. I want to apologise for my action and have learnt my lesson)?

Yes, you should do Royal Mail redirection and tell GTR. If you want to avoid prosecution it is VITAL you receive communications from them and reply - sorting things out later if you don't will cost way more time and money than a postal redirection will cost.

I believe the one (only?) thing the GTR e-mail address is acceptable to use for is to notify them of a change of address (e-mail can be seen on other letters people have uploaded in GTR threads in the past) - but also telling them by post (their postal address for prosecutions is on other threads on letters uploaded) is also a good idea. Don't just e-mail or write to their general customer services address - has to be their Revenue Protection / Prosecution team - I think it is based at Kings Cross station

3) When I receive any letter from GTR, I am planning to be honest and faithful and profusely apologetic even though I wasn't at the time I was questioned. I believe this would be the right move for me, but I wanted to hear what others think about how I need to approach this when the worst comes.

The general advice on here is to reply to what they are asking you about in their letter - which may be the one incident - but do not lie or ay things like 'this has never happened before' - if you want to tell them about other incidents it will likely help predispose them towards settling not prosecuting, or you could let them investigate your ticket buying which they will do, and they may raise it with you anyway, or subsequent to your reply.

Probably best to wait and see what they say to you and ask for advice specific to that when you get the letter (also check e-mail and spam)

 

[jazy1124]

Yes, you should do Royal Mail redirection and tell GTR. If you want to avoid prosecution it is VITAL you receive communications from them and reply - sorting things out later if you don't will cost way more time and money than a postal redirection will cost.

I believe the one (only?) thing the GTR e-mail address is acceptable to use for is to notify them of a change of address (e-mail can be seen on other letters people have uploaded in GTR threads in the past) - but also telling them by post (their postal address for prosecutions is on other threads on letters uploaded) is also a good idea. Don't just e-mail or write to their general customer services address - has to be their Revenue Protection / Prosecution team - I think it is based at Kings Cross station

Thank you for your help! I was wondering if I will have to add anything apologetic to show my intention to apologise or be remorseful?

Ie.

Dear GTW prosecution/revenue protection team,

I am writing regarding my witness statement (GTR ref num) on October XX at XX station.

I would like to inform a change of my address from XXX to XXX. Also, in order to receive communications without delay, I would like to leave my email address (XXXX).

Again, I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. I am deeply ashamed of my actions, and I take full responsibility for them. I can assure you that I will not avoid paying the correct fare and will purchase the correct ticket before onboarding.

Yours Sincerely,
X

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for your help! I was wondering if I will have to add anything apologetic to show my intention to apologise or be remorseful?

Ie.

Dear GTW prosecution/revenue protection team,

I am writing regarding my witness statement (GTR ref num) on October XX at XX station.

I would like to inform a change of my address from XXX to XXX. Also, in order to receive communications without delay, I would like to leave my email address (XXXX).

Again, I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. I am deeply ashamed of my actions, and I take full responsibility for them. I can assure you that I will not avoid paying the correct fare and will purchase the correct ticket before onboarding.

Yours Sincerely,
X

personally I'd keep it to a straight change of address message and nothing else apart from the ref numbers - and I would not send it until about 7 to 10 days ahead before you move / go away as they may write to you before then anyway.

also make it clearer for them to match the case (don't just rely on GTR ref number) stating your present address and the address you will be going to.