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Court summons for train fine
I received an unwelcoming letter I was greeted with upon returning home for a weekend break from University.
I am a student at the University of Sheffield, studying French. In November in 2011, when completing a journey back from London to see my boyfriend I was pushed to make a train between two stops (the coach station is out of town).
My previous experience on these journey's was that tickets could be purchased on board, I have witnessed passengers do this in the past without problems. As I was rushed for time, I assumed I would be able to pay for my ticket on board, and proceeded straight to train before buying a ticket.
The ticket lady was very nice but explained to me that this was not the case and that I would receive a fine for not having a ticket. Despite being quite distressed I provided her with my details and went on my way.
The coming weeks later I was surprised not to have received any correspondence in the post at my term address which I thought I had provided.
It is only now it has come to my attention that my family address was taken (as printed on my Drivers License). I understand why this address was taken now, as there was proof, but due to my degree and family circumstances, I have not spent much time at my mother's house recently.
It wasn't until returning for this weekend that I was horrified to receive a courts summoning for 26th February.
As I'm sure you can imagine, being an honest person, upon receiving the initial fine letter in the first place I would have paid immediately. Even through the financial hardship, my boyfriend or family would have been able to help with this.
Unfortunately it has built up, which is something I probably cannot reverse. But I want to stress that intentions were good, and had I physically received this letter in the first place I would have cleared the outstanding debt.
I would like some advice (if available) about how to proceed supporting my case?
Should I send a letter to the fines department and hope for the best? Or just send my supporting evidence to the courts....and hope for the best.
Please help.
Lynn
As a student I am unsure that I will be able to afford a solicitor to represent me, but will follow whatever means possible to pay what you feel is due.
Kind Regards,
Liz Sheldon
I am a student at the University of Sheffield, studying French. In November in 2011, when completing a journey back from London to see my boyfriend I was pushed to make a train between two stops (the coach station is out of town).
My previous experience on these journey's was that tickets could be purchased on board, I have witnessed passengers do this in the past without problems. As I was rushed for time, I assumed I would be able to pay for my ticket on board, and proceeded straight to train before buying a ticket.
The ticket lady was very nice but explained to me that this was not the case and that I would receive a fine for not having a ticket. Despite being quite distressed I provided her with my details and went on my way.
The coming weeks later I was surprised not to have received any correspondence in the post at my term address which I thought I had provided.
It is only now it has come to my attention that my family address was taken (as printed on my Drivers License). I understand why this address was taken now, as there was proof, but due to my degree and family circumstances, I have not spent much time at my mother's house recently.
It wasn't until returning for this weekend that I was horrified to receive a courts summoning for 26th February.
As I'm sure you can imagine, being an honest person, upon receiving the initial fine letter in the first place I would have paid immediately. Even through the financial hardship, my boyfriend or family would have been able to help with this.
Unfortunately it has built up, which is something I probably cannot reverse. But I want to stress that intentions were good, and had I physically received this letter in the first place I would have cleared the outstanding debt.
I would like some advice (if available) about how to proceed supporting my case?
Should I send a letter to the fines department and hope for the best? Or just send my supporting evidence to the courts....and hope for the best.
Please help.
Lynn
As a student I am unsure that I will be able to afford a solicitor to represent me, but will follow whatever means possible to pay what you feel is due.
Kind Regards,
Liz Sheldon
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I nearly got caught like that once.
I only used a particular train service about twice a year and just assumed you could still pay on the train and always did so because there was about 5 minutes between my bus arriving and the train leaving.
I was warned about it and just paid the normal fare but if it had been a day later I would have received a fine.
Another thing which happened was I had just filled my car with petrol and a man came over and wanted some complex directions which I was able to give him.
I totally forgot to pay for the petrol as a result and suddenly remembered when I got home about 8 miles away.
Fortunately the cashier had been asked for these directions by this man and she was unable to help and she recognised me as being a regular at the petrol station and she realised it was a mistake.
I phoned the petrol station when I got home and tried to give my credit card number over the phone but they said they had no facility for this.
They knew I went in to the station once a week and just said pay the next time I went in.
Amy
I only used a particular train service about twice a year and just assumed you could still pay on the train and always did so because there was about 5 minutes between my bus arriving and the train leaving.
I was warned about it and just paid the normal fare but if it had been a day later I would have received a fine.
Another thing which happened was I had just filled my car with petrol and a man came over and wanted some complex directions which I was able to give him.
I totally forgot to pay for the petrol as a result and suddenly remembered when I got home about 8 miles away.
Fortunately the cashier had been asked for these directions by this man and she was unable to help and she recognised me as being a regular at the petrol station and she realised it was a mistake.
I phoned the petrol station when I got home and tried to give my credit card number over the phone but they said they had no facility for this.
They knew I went in to the station once a week and just said pay the next time I went in.
Amy
A couple of years ago, I attended my local magistrate’s courts as a plaintiff in a case.
While waiting for my case, I looked at the list of those appearing in the other courts; one listed the regional rail company as the plaintiff, with at least 30 separate defendants. I deduced that these were all for some form of non-payment for a ticket. Interestingly none of the defendants were in evidence at the court.
I assume that the process is that the rail company obtains a judgement (in effect by default) and can then use whatever methods are permitted by the court to enforce payment of the ticket/fine and other costs.
Whether any criminal sanction is applied as a result of the action taken by the rail company – I could not say.
While waiting for my case, I looked at the list of those appearing in the other courts; one listed the regional rail company as the plaintiff, with at least 30 separate defendants. I deduced that these were all for some form of non-payment for a ticket. Interestingly none of the defendants were in evidence at the court.
I assume that the process is that the rail company obtains a judgement (in effect by default) and can then use whatever methods are permitted by the court to enforce payment of the ticket/fine and other costs.
Whether any criminal sanction is applied as a result of the action taken by the rail company – I could not say.
1 to 6 of 6
