Back in October I boarded a train at Egham without a ticket. I was in a rush and I intended to buy a ticket on board. When the train got to the next station (staines: about 2 minutes down the line) I was asked for my ticket by a Revenue Protection Inspector (RPI). I explained my position and he decided to fully question me at the next station. At the end he igave me a note allowing me to pass through the gates at a station of my choosing free of charge and informed me that South West Trains' Legal department would be in touch. I researched the entire thing and my position via solicitors and online threads. The RPI had accused me of attempting to evade the fare.
In December I recieved a letter notifying me that SWT were considering legal action and asking me for any mitigating circumstances. I replied telling them my side of the story.
I was afraid of recieving a court summons for travelling with intent to avoid the fare as I would need to attend court to defend myself (and possibly still lose).
Thankfully, yesterday I recieved a court summons for the lesser offence of boarding a train without a ticket (under byelaw 18.1). I will plead guilty by post since I have no defence. However I am in the dark as to why most people will have to pay a penalty fare (£20) for this offence and I have been singled out and summoned. I will have to pay the fare, about £100 court costs (for the first hearing) and recieve a criminal record. The money is not a concern compared to the record.
On the trains and at the Stations there are signs saying that if you board a train without a ticket you will be liable to pay a penalty fare. They do not, however, mention prosecution and a criminal record (unless it is related to fare evasion).
So my question is why have I drawn the short straw? I feel like I'm being discriminated against. Shouldn't eveyone face similar punishment for the same "crime".
In December I recieved a letter notifying me that SWT were considering legal action and asking me for any mitigating circumstances. I replied telling them my side of the story.
I was afraid of recieving a court summons for travelling with intent to avoid the fare as I would need to attend court to defend myself (and possibly still lose).
Thankfully, yesterday I recieved a court summons for the lesser offence of boarding a train without a ticket (under byelaw 18.1). I will plead guilty by post since I have no defence. However I am in the dark as to why most people will have to pay a penalty fare (£20) for this offence and I have been singled out and summoned. I will have to pay the fare, about £100 court costs (for the first hearing) and recieve a criminal record. The money is not a concern compared to the record.
On the trains and at the Stations there are signs saying that if you board a train without a ticket you will be liable to pay a penalty fare. They do not, however, mention prosecution and a criminal record (unless it is related to fare evasion).
So my question is why have I drawn the short straw? I feel like I'm being discriminated against. Shouldn't eveyone face similar punishment for the same "crime".