Train ticket punishment for 16yo

chambta

A friend of mine has a younger brother with a little problem.

He travelled to London on a child's ticket - which I believe is for under 16s - and was caught out after admitting his age when awoken by the guard. He's been issued with a bill for £100+ which he has no means to pay himself.

What will happen if ignores the invoice? Given his age is the 'debt' enforceable?

Owain_Moneysaver

The debt is probably enforceable as it's for a necessity.

What he needs to be aware of is if he does not pay the fare demand then he may be prosecuted for the criminal offence of travelling without a valid ticket.

mattyprice4004

Get him to get a parent to pay it if he can't afford it, as far as I know they will enforce it.

Not too sure on the age thing, but usually if they're too young then it falls to a parent / guardian like any other incident involving them. However I think this is still enforceable.

Also, tell him not to be a tool and buy the right ticket, it's his own fault. This country is full of people not taking responsibility for their actions. Tell him to sell something if he can't afford it and no one else will pay it.

geewhiz

It shouldn't matter if he's 16 or 60, he still travelled on the wrong ticket so should be chased for the fine in the same way.

If he doesn't pay he will end up in court and have to pay costs too.

marlot

Be very careful - if it goes to court he could end up with a criminal record.

chambta

Thanks for the replies. I won't be speaking to him as I don't know him but will pass on info that it is likely not to go away.

Stigy

Theoretically he could be prosecuted at a Youth Court for the offence of fare evasion (bear in mind that criminal responsibility rests with the individual at age 10 and above....and in the eyes of the railway, you're an adult at 16). Realistically though, unless very persistant, train companies tend not to prosecute minors, not least because it has to be in the public interest, and they'd have to satisfy the courts that a court imposed fine and a criminal record is appropriate. But it's also hassle the seasoned prosecutor would sooner do without, as it's a lot easier to do this if the person concerned is over 18-years of age and not, as some will see it, a poor defenceless child who bought the wrong ticket.

I'd urge him to pay up, or have his parents loan him the money to pay up, as morally he's in the wrong. However, if he really wants to ignore it and hope that what I've posted above is accurate in his case, that's up to him (remember, I did say that the law allows him to be prosecuted...). If £100 is truely too steep, maybe an apologetic letter to the company, the offer of maybe £20, plus the fare avoided would do the trick? I'm sure they'd respect this.

andygb

chambta wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I won't be speaking to him as I don't know him but will pass on info that it is likely not to go away.

You should also advise them to act sooner rather than later, because the amount could increase if you leave it too long.
I regard people like this as criminals, because the rest of us pay our fares and play the game by the rules.
Fare evaders are just cheats and deserve everything they get.

Hintza

Interesting thread.

But why is 16 classed as an adult? Most are still at school, have always thought it a little unfair.

bazster

Hintza wrote: »

Interesting thread.

But why is 16 classed as an adult? Most are still at school, have always thought it a little unfair.

How is being at school beyond the age of 16 any different to being at university at the age of, say, 21? A 16-year-old could leave school and get a job if he wanted (and if he could find one).

And in any case, why should being at school be an excuse for fare-dodging (also known as "theft")?

Syman

when my son got caught bunking the train, the penalty charge was sent to me as his "parent or gaurdian".