London train passenger fined £450 for not showing rail pass

He couldn’t go to court because the documents were sent to the wrong address, and he now fears he may have a criminal record.

Molly was sued in court in her absence and fined £450 for failing to produce her rail pass on her journey from St Albans to Luton Airport Parkway in May.

He claimed that he had not loaded the train card into the app, but proved that he had purchased the train card by showing the ticket agent his receipt.

Rail company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) sent the court letters to the wrong address and he never received them.

He says: “They had the wrong house number. They went to court without me and I was found guilty.”

Molly currently owes £450 and doesn’t know if she has a criminal record.

He called the court but the court said they couldn’t tell him this over the phone as it would be considered legal advice and he would need to have a DBS check to find out.

GTR said it had given passengers the opportunity to submit valid train passes to stop the action, adding that it had given Molly detailed information on how to resolve the court order.