Hi,
I live in the Uk and on 6th 12th 2007 I took a train in the UK however I did not buy a ticket before I got on the train as It was held up in station due to a police investigation on the train. Therefore because I did not know when it would leave I got on it. On the journey no member of staff approched me to by a ticket and I did not go looking for a member of staff as I had had a long day at work and just wanted to sit down. Upon arriving at my destination I was detained by a revenue protection officer of East Midlands Trains telling me I had commited an offence. However in my eyes I could not see what I did wrong as I had no opportunity to buy a ticket and was quite willing to pay.
I recently received a letter from Charles and Ashby Revenue Management Ltd regarding this saying the train company has instructed them to pay for a Magistrate's summons. They say I was cautioned and interviewed under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
They say that 'offence of fair evasion on the railway can carry a maximum sentence of a fine of £1,000.00 and or 3 months inprisonment. They also say I can ring them to speak about this matter.
I was wondering if somone can help explain my rights to me in this situation as in my eyes I do not see why the train comapnies are willing to criminalise a railway customer such as myself who would gladly pay but will never catch a train again. Thankyou. Any help would be much appreciated.
I live in the Uk and on 6th 12th 2007 I took a train in the UK however I did not buy a ticket before I got on the train as It was held up in station due to a police investigation on the train. Therefore because I did not know when it would leave I got on it. On the journey no member of staff approched me to by a ticket and I did not go looking for a member of staff as I had had a long day at work and just wanted to sit down. Upon arriving at my destination I was detained by a revenue protection officer of East Midlands Trains telling me I had commited an offence. However in my eyes I could not see what I did wrong as I had no opportunity to buy a ticket and was quite willing to pay.
I recently received a letter from Charles and Ashby Revenue Management Ltd regarding this saying the train company has instructed them to pay for a Magistrate's summons. They say I was cautioned and interviewed under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
They say that 'offence of fair evasion on the railway can carry a maximum sentence of a fine of £1,000.00 and or 3 months inprisonment. They also say I can ring them to speak about this matter.
I was wondering if somone can help explain my rights to me in this situation as in my eyes I do not see why the train comapnies are willing to criminalise a railway customer such as myself who would gladly pay but will never catch a train again. Thankyou. Any help would be much appreciated.
