Damage to railway fence

[Choiceoftoppings]

A few years ago the builder building an outbuilding in the garden cut the railway fence so he could squeeze behind. I was annoyed at the time, but as the cutting we back onto is 8ft deep in brambles and inaccessible, and the building is there, I wasn't worried about access or anything and didn't report it. I don't think I even said to him he shouldn't have done it. This was about 4 years ago.

But now workmen have come cutting a path along the railway side of the fence. I'm terrified I'm going to be prosecuted for criminal damage or something. I can afford a fine and would pay happily for this stress to go away, but I'm petrified of having a criminal record. Does anyone know what the outcome could be?

I've been googling but all I can find is about trespass on the railway.

I kept meaning to go tie it up at least with some cable ties, but it's really hard to squeeze back there so I never got around to it. I realise that wouldn't count as a repair, but might not have been so noticeable.

[Mix56]

You didn't do it. Anyone could have done it. Honestly this is a storm in a tea cup

[FindingMeno]

There is nothing to tell them it was anything to do with you or your visitors.
Don't worry.

[andHelenknowsimmiserablenow]

Keep calm, if anyone asks, you have no idea.

[Choiceoftoppings]

Thank you, that has calmed me down! I'll wait and see if anything comes of it, I suppose.

[Theunamedcat]

Say you have no clue offer to contribute towards a repair but they will probably either not notice or fix it and forget it railway's are the biggest shoulder shrugged around here one of my parents houses back on to a railway they give zero shits about anything

[BobnLen]

No one is going to know when it was done anyway, it could have been many years ago, if it needs it I guess they will just repair it

[FloatyBoaty]

In the highly unlikely scenario it ever comes up, you just act surprised “oh really! Had no idea! Let me know if you need access onto my property to fix it!”

that’s it.

[Mix56]

Dont offer to fix it.

[ApolloandDaphne]

Deny everything.

[AmateurDad]

You can’t be prosecuted as you didn’t damage the fence or ask the builder to do it and nor will there be any evidence you did either of those things. I am a criminal lawyer, by the way.