Im a second year uni student doing nursing. I had a railcard from my first year that I didn’t realise was expired (its been expired for about 3 months now).
My first travel to uni was a few weeks ago, ticket inspector asked for my ticket but never asked to see my railcard (I purchased a ticket with a 16-25 railcard discount) and I thought nothing of it. It never came to my mind. Just now this afternoon however I was travelling back home but she asked to see my railcard, I then panicked and realise it’s probably expired. I showed it to her anyway and she said “It’s expired, did you renew it” I said “I thought I did I didn’t realise though, but no I didn’t renew it” she then said that this is an offence and started to take my details, and even asked for my height. I felt like a criminal.
She told me my ticket is not valid, and I then offered to pay the full price of a ticket to which she declined and continued taking my details. I then got issued with a ‘zero pay’ ticket and told me to expect a letter and advised me “not to ignore it”.
I googled the consequences of this and I found that the worst case is being fined up to £1000 and end up having a criminal record! And I would have to pay for prosecution and court fees which I can’t afford since I am a student, but this will fall onto my parents. I feel absolutely AWFUL and I can’t concentrate on anything else! This will ruin my whole life and career. I know I should have been more careful and double check my railcard, my family and friends have said the same thing, but I can’t believe that a silly mistake like that can ruin the rest of my life and my desired career that I worked so hard for. I was lazy and misjudged and didn’t think carefully. I also thought that maybe my railcard was fine since the first man never asked for it. However, this is technically the second time I’ve done this since the first time I wasn’t fully aware (as he didnt check my railcard) so this would be a disadvantage.
I’m not used to this at all and thought of myself as a good character, never got into trouble in school, studied hard and always abide the law. Im sooo worried. Has this happened to anyone else? I have contacted a solicitor who will contact me tomorrow.
My first travel to uni was a few weeks ago, ticket inspector asked for my ticket but never asked to see my railcard (I purchased a ticket with a 16-25 railcard discount) and I thought nothing of it. It never came to my mind. Just now this afternoon however I was travelling back home but she asked to see my railcard, I then panicked and realise it’s probably expired. I showed it to her anyway and she said “It’s expired, did you renew it” I said “I thought I did I didn’t realise though, but no I didn’t renew it” she then said that this is an offence and started to take my details, and even asked for my height. I felt like a criminal.
She told me my ticket is not valid, and I then offered to pay the full price of a ticket to which she declined and continued taking my details. I then got issued with a ‘zero pay’ ticket and told me to expect a letter and advised me “not to ignore it”.
I googled the consequences of this and I found that the worst case is being fined up to £1000 and end up having a criminal record! And I would have to pay for prosecution and court fees which I can’t afford since I am a student, but this will fall onto my parents. I feel absolutely AWFUL and I can’t concentrate on anything else! This will ruin my whole life and career. I know I should have been more careful and double check my railcard, my family and friends have said the same thing, but I can’t believe that a silly mistake like that can ruin the rest of my life and my desired career that I worked so hard for. I was lazy and misjudged and didn’t think carefully. I also thought that maybe my railcard was fine since the first man never asked for it. However, this is technically the second time I’ve done this since the first time I wasn’t fully aware (as he didnt check my railcard) so this would be a disadvantage.
I’m not used to this at all and thought of myself as a good character, never got into trouble in school, studied hard and always abide the law. Im sooo worried. Has this happened to anyone else? I have contacted a solicitor who will contact me tomorrow.