Prosectuion letter can they settle or no

Beastman9901

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice regarding an issue with my cousin’s 11-15 Oyster card. I know this is a rail forum but cant find one for busses. I was recently on a bus and used her card, explaining to the officer that I was planning to return it to her, which I genuinely intended to do. I mentioned that this was my first offence in my letter back in hopes that they might be lenient and settle the matter without a penalty.
However, I’m a bit concerned because I think I might have a prior offence from about 4 years ago. At the time, I didn’t tap my card at a station because I was in a rush. I’m not sure if that penalty ended up in my mum’s name or mine, as she was the one speaking to the officer then.
Has anyone had experience with a situation like this? Do you think TfL might still consider this my first offence despite the potential prior issue and will settle or Any advice on how to handle it would be really helpful.

More info is
Im 20 with no job apart from gambling income which is quite a bit and using my child trust fund as a mean to live 
This is my first bus offence apart from that train incident 4 years ago still dont know if its in my mums name or not 
In the letter I’ve already admitted fault, apologised sincerely, and sent a written request to settle the matter outside of court — including offering to pay any reasonable amount.
Just need some advice

flaneurs_lobster

"I know this is a rail forum...."

I thought the schools had gone back?

Beastman9901

I had copied and pasted from a rail forum thats why

ChirpyChicken

most likely they will settle without prosecution

Beastman9901

I hope so just some other places they saying they wont so just trying to get as much as info as possible

Exodi

You're in the right place.

Not because you seemingly used someone else's underage Oyster card that happened to provide free bus travel or because you accidentally forgot to tap your payment card because you was 'in a rush'. Frankly, that part is relatively minor and simple - stop making excuses and start paying for your travel.

But because you suggest you are 20 living off a trust fund and 'gambling income' (whatever that means). Unless your surname is Musk or something similar, the time you can live on easy street like this is finite. You have to stop gambling, it never ends well. Even if you get a big win, you'll chase a bigger win. If you lose, you'll go back in to get back your losses. It never ends. You can not beat the house. (unless 'gambling income' is matched betting, though people are usually clear in that case that they are not gambling which implies risk). You will waste your life, money and relationship with your family/friends/partner(s) if you carry on as you are, becoming yet another contributor to Denise Coates 9 figure salary.

I know that with any addiction you can't just tell someone to quit, they have to decide, but it doesn't make it any sadder to read as everyone else knows where this ends up, and it's not with you in the Bahama's on a private yacht, we've read far too many accounts from suicidal posters who've lost everything to know.

TadleyBaggie

ChirpyChicken said:

most likely they will settle without prosecution

TFL almost never settle out of court. They either (rarely) issue a warning or prosecute.

Emmia

Beastman9901 said:

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice regarding an issue with my cousin’s 11-15 Oyster card. I know this is a rail forum but cant find one for busses. I was recently on a bus and used her card, explaining to the officer that I was planning to return it to her, which I genuinely intended to do. I mentioned that this was my first offence in my letter back in hopes that they might be lenient and settle the matter without a penalty.
However, I’m a bit concerned because I think I might have a prior offence from about 4 years ago. At the time, I didn’t tap my card at a station because I was in a rush. I’m not sure if that penalty ended up in my mum’s name or mine, as she was the one speaking to the officer then.
Has anyone had experience with a situation like this? Do you think TfL might still consider this my first offence despite the potential prior issue and will settle or Any advice on how to handle it would be really helpful.

More info is
Im 20 with no job apart from gambling income which is quite a bit and using my child trust fund as a mean to live 
This is my first bus offence apart from that train incident 4 years ago still dont know if its in my mums name or not 
In the letter I’ve already admitted fault, apologised sincerely, and sent a written request to settle the matter outside of court — including offering to pay any reasonable amount.
Just need some advice

I think the trouble is, that you were caught... and given enforcement officers are not on every bus, you were either very unlucky or this was far from the first time you'd fraudulently used your cousin's card. What was your cousin doing without their oyster card?

If you don't have an income, might I suggest finding a job, that isn't gambling. There are plenty around.

If you don't want to pay for transport, then walking remains a free of charge option.

ChirpyChicken

TadleyBaggie said:

ChirpyChicken said:

most likely they will settle without prosecution

TFL almost never settle out of court. They either (rarely) issue a warning or prosecute.

Yes actually i think your right. They are a bit like northern /Merseyside who prosecute a lot

sheenas

Pay up and move on. I am sure if they start looking at the previous use of the card, this could highlight further issues.