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rider77 · Feb 25, 2011, 04:29 PM

Hi I did not buy my ticket today so I wanted to buy it onboard but I refused I wanted to pay penalty I refused he said he going to make report what I did not andustend as I don't speak well english so I given false details he find out its false so he said he give me another chance but I asked again how much penalti and what for before I give my details so he said you just made another offence and went for police and I give my details so I made a criminal offence ? Because I did not andustend and I tought I can buy ticket onbord as I did a few days before ? I happy to pay 20 or 50 but not 400 with criminal record what can I do thank you essex

smoothy · Feb 25, 2011, 05:09 PM

What country did this occur in? As I understand you got on a train without a ticket... and are now upset you found out how much they are going to fine you (probibly the maximum because you wasn't honest) because you knowingly gave them false information.

rider77 · Feb 27, 2011, 01:39 AM

In the uk I did not give my details as I don't andustand what for so I don't give my details igive fals details to the controller after he called the police officer and then I give my details is it an offence? I'm not english so I did not andustend what for why I can't pay ticket or penalty penalty is 20 pound here why I was refused now they maybe going to give me 400 pound fine and a criminal record then I will take it to court because here there is a law if you don't speak good english they shouldn't give you even the 20 pound penalty thanks

smoothy · Feb 28, 2011, 06:12 AM

OK... I do understand what happened and why. And because I have lived in Europe and am familiar somewhat with this situation.

There are lots of people that scam the system by NOT buying a ticket hoping they can get away with it enough times without being caught that it would be cheaper to pay the fine when they do. On busses as well as trains.

When you gave them false information they had no choice but assume the worst of intent by you.

Had you simply been honest you would have likely gotten the lower fine.

Sorry... You can't use the langage issue to get a special priveledge. Learning the language where you live is your responsibility. Not theirs. You can't and shouldn't use that as excuse or what we call a "get out of jail free" card. Which means you should not have more rights than anyone else has.

They DO have that right... and their descretion is to give who they determine to make an honset mistake a lower fine... and those who they determine to be trying to cheat them a higher fine.

When you lied to them and gave false information you made yourself appear to be someone who actively cheats the system and tries to get away with it by using false information.

Sorry but that's how it works. If I was them I would have done it exactly the same way. You have to look at it from their perspective. If you had been honest... and gave them the right info... you would have a 20 pound fine and it would be over.

And that's true in every country... not just the UK. When the authorities determine you have been telling lies... they ARE going to make it worse for you.

I'm not unsympathetic... but this is a mess you created. Pay what you have to pay and consider this a learning experience. There are many countries you would not be getting away with this with such a small penalty.