Lied to train ticket inspector - now what?

[ChampagneLassie]

Feeling a bit of a wally. Lied to ticket inspector that I have a network rail card. I know mine expired but I said I’d forgotten it (thinking I’d pay a fine on spot). Instead he asked for my details and wrote something up which invites me to upload my rail card and says I could face prosecution. Bought a digital railcard. Followed the link and it says I could still face a prosecution if I’ve bought ticket after event. What should I do now? I’ve not uploaded anything as it wants lots of details. Be honest? Be half honest (ie say I can’t find the card but I’ve bought a new one now?)

www.thameslinkrailway.com/help-and-support/railcard-and-season-ticket-submission

My DP is a lawyer and he’s giving me a bit of a long hard stare about this now

Yeah, seriously, don't lie, don't try to come up with mitigating circumstances. You'll get a fine of a couple of hundred quid at the very least, I suspect. Just chalk it up to experience. It's your responsibility to check this stuff, and the industry is very strict on it - a ticket is either valid or not, no excuses.

You're not required to incriminate yourself, so whatever you say to them, only refer to this specific journey. If, however, they pull out evidence of other journeys, you'd be foolish to deny them. Cross that bridge if and when you get to it, though.

Just be honest, sorry when I checked it was out of date and pay a fine