Short Journey Fraud

[BmusTrump3t]

I (21 year old student) have yet to receive a letter from train companies regarding this, but it is coming.

Yesterday, I was stopped by train staff at the station who were doing checks on tickets and I was caught having a short journey ticket. I had assumed that I would just have to pay the penalty fare, but she mentioned that they would have to launch an investigation and started mentioning courts and criminal charges.

In hindsight its stupid, but I didn't realise that short journey fraud (or travelling without a ticket) could actually end up with a criminal record, I thought it usually just ended up with a fine. And only once you had been caught on multiple different occasions did you go to court.

I have gotten in contact with Reeds solicitors about this, but they're closed until tomorrow morning and I have read that the earlier the better.

This thing is is that I hadn't realised, but I have actually being doing this till about early December, and possibly about 40 journeys. I'm assuming this makes my chances at settling out of court quite minimal and I'm just looking for advice.


Here is a draft of a letter, as I've seen people recommend that

"I am writing in response to the penalty notice regarding my recent travel on the 14th of April 2025. I was traveling from Birmingham New Street to Northampton, but I purchased a ticket that was only valid for a shorter part of the journey (Long Buckby to Northampton).

My reason for travel is for band rehearsals as I am studying at a musical institution in Birmingham, and the band in Northampton are one of the leading bands in the area, but do not pay expenses, hence my excuse for cheating on train tickets. I have always had anxiety about finances, and found it difficult to seek support from the band or my parents (who already pay my living expenses whilst at University).

I was unaware that travelling with a sandwhiched ticket was different to travelling without a ticket, and incures a greater implications, especially on my criminal record. I also hadn't realised that this had been going on for so long, only when I was looking into how many journeys I had made did I realise the severity of this.

Due to my future prospects in teaching and the need for an enhanced DBS I would be happy to pay a fine equal to the difference in fare and any additional amount plus the associated administrative fees in order to resolve this matter outside of a court. I will take care to ensure that this does not happen again, by purchasing full tickets for the future with new knowledge about the proper consequences of travelling without them.

Please give me some advice or at least tell me how screwed I am... Even writing this down, I'm surprised at how stupid I have been to not even consider what I was doing!

 

[_toommm_]

I (21 year old student) have yet to receive a letter from train companies regarding this, but it is coming.

Yesterday, I was stopped by train staff at the station who were doing checks on tickets and I was caught having a short journey ticket. I had assumed that I would just have to pay the penalty fare, but she mentioned that they would have to launch an investigation and started mentioning courts and criminal charges.

In hindsight its stupid, but I didn't realise that short journey fraud (or travelling without a ticket) could actually end up with a criminal record, I thought it usually just ended up with a fine. And only once you had been caught on multiple different occasions did you go to court.

I have gotten in contact with Reeds solicitors about this, but they're closed until tomorrow morning and I have read that the earlier the better.

This thing is is that I hadn't realised, but I have actually being doing this till about early December, and possibly about 40 journeys. I'm assuming this makes my chances at settling out of court quite minimal and I'm just looking for advice.


Here is a draft of a letter, as I've seen people recommend that

"I am writing in response to the penalty notice regarding my recent travel on the 14th of April 2025. I was traveling from Birmingham New Street to Northampton, but I purchased a ticket that was only valid for a shorter part of the journey (Long Buckby to Northampton).

My reason for travel is for band rehearsals as I am studying at a musical institution in Birmingham, and the band in Northampton are one of the leading bands in the area, but do not pay expenses, hence my excuse for cheating on train tickets. I have always had anxiety about finances, and found it difficult to seek support from the band or my parents (who already pay my living expenses whilst at University).

I was unaware that travelling with a sandwhiched ticket was different to travelling without a ticket, and incures a greater implications, especially on my criminal record. I also hadn't realised that this had been going on for so long, only when I was looking into how many journeys I had made did I realise the severity of this.

Due to my future prospects in teaching and the need for an enhanced DBS I would be happy to pay a fine equal to the difference in fare and any additional amount plus the associated administrative fees in order to resolve this matter outside of a court. I will take care to ensure that this does not happen again, by purchasing full tickets for the future with new knowledge about the proper consequences of travelling without them.

Please give me some advice or at least tell me how screwed I am... Even writing this down, I'm surprised at how stupid I have been to not even consider what I was doing!

The letter feels quite long, and to be honest, some of the excuses such as '[the band] do not pay expenses' and about you needing a clean DBS, don't really read well

In addition, the offer to pay only the difference in fares might seem like the right thing, but I would instead be asking WMT very politely for the opportunity to pay the outstanding fares and costs. They'll more than likely ask you for the full undiscounted anytime day single cost (and double that if it was a return journey), which is currently £21.80 as of 01/04/25.

The letter definitely needs a bit of work. Only you know truly how many times you've short-fared, so I would take the time to work out exactly how many times you've short-fared to get a rough ballpark figure of how much you owe, and add around £150 on top for their costs.

I would also ask how you managed to get through the barriers at New Street with only the short fare?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

We see lots of cases like this on here and whilst what you've done is wrong, and the train company is entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to, most train companies will settle these cases out of court as long as you co-operate with them and haven't come to their attention before.

What happens next is that the train company will write to you saying that they have received a report and are considering prosecuting you but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. It's good to write a draft while events are still fresh in your mind but do not send anything to WMT until they contact you. This is because any contact before their letter arrives risks incriminating yourself, which you aren't required to do.

You really need to see exactly what their letter says before you reply but what you've written could do with some amendment. For example they won't care about why you were travelling - I wouldn't mention that you were going to play in a band as they could see this as discretionary travel. I wouldn't mention teaching or needing a DBS either - why should WMT treat someone who wants to be a teacher differently to jobs that don't require a DBS check. Instead I suggest a short, concise letter that mentions:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

If you are offered an out of court settlement expect to have to pay the cost of all the fares avoided at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid tickets purchased. In addition they will want an admin fee, typically £175. Paying an out of court settlement might feel like paying a fine but technically it isn't - only a court can impose a fine as a punishment if you're found guilty. You won't have a criminal record if you pay a settlement.

Settlements have to be paid in full within a few days of being offered so think about how you will raise the sum required if money is tight. Only you can decide whether or not to use a solicitor. My view is it isn't necessary at this stage. The case is straightforward and I expect you will be offered a settlement if you follow what I have said above. Solicitors don't come cheap and they cannot change what has happened although they can sometimes present your mitigation in a better way than you feel able to do yourself. You will also need to pay their fee in addition to the settlement or any court fine (if they cannot negotiate a settlement). My view would be to see if you get a favourable outcome to your reply to WMT's letter - if you don't then that would be the time to involve a solicitor.

When WMT's letter arrives post a redacted copy on this thread, along with your amended draft reply and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

 

[BmusTrump3t]

The letter feels quite long, and to be honest, some of the excuses such as '[the band] do not pay expenses' and about you needing a clean DBS, don't really read well

In addition, the offer to pay only the difference in fares might seem like the right thing, but I would instead be asking WMT very politely for the opportunity to pay the outstanding fares and costs. They'll more than likely ask you for the full undiscounted anytime day single cost (and double that if it was a return journey), which is currently £21.80 as of 01/04/25.

The letter definitely needs a bit of work. Only you know truly how many times you've short-fared, so I would take the time to work out exactly how many times you've short-fared to get a rough ballpark figure of how much you owe, and add around £150 on top for their costs.

I would also ask how you managed to get through the barriers at New Street with only the short fare?

In order to get through new street barriers I bought a ticket to duddeston station.

Also convinced by the other comment, I have just removed the middle section explaining the reasoning.

I'm hoping to work out the letter over the coming days and when I get the letter I will post it here.

Thanks to you and @Hadders for your help!

This is the redraft of my own letter:

"I am writing in response to the penalty notice regarding my recent travel on the 14th of April 2025. I was traveling from Birmingham New Street to Northampton, but I purchased a ticket that was only valid for a shorter part of the journey (Long Buckby to Northampton).

I was unaware that travelling with a sandwhiched ticket was different to travelling without a ticket, and incurs a greater implications, especially on my criminal record. I also hadn't realised that this had been going on for so long, only when I was looking into how many journeys I had made did I realise the severity of this.

I would like to offer my sincerest apologies and wish for the opportunity to pay the outstanding amount plus any associated administrative fees in order to resolve this matter outside of a court. I will take care to ensure that (now knowing the full consequences) this does not happen again, by purchasing full tickets for the future.

Thank you for your time"

 

[Hadders]

I think you'll need to mention that you purchased a Birmingham New Street to Duddeston ticket. WMT will know this when they search your Trainline account.

I still think some changes are required to the wording but I'd worry about that when the letter arrives simply because until it arrives you don't know what they're going to ask.

 

[JordR]

Hadders is of course right, but a few starting points to think about:

- 'Doughnutting' and travelling with no ticket at all aren't really different, the crimes they will likely be charged under are usually the same. So would leave this out.

- Don't mention how long you've been doing this unless they mention it to you first.

- Maybe go with "full fare" rather than "outstanding amount". They're not going to give you any credit for the partial sum paid in invalid tickets.

- Don't say you're only going to stop doing it now you know the consequences! It reads terribly.