London train passenger fined £450 for not showing railcard

She failed to turn up to court as the papers had been sent to a wrong address and she now fears she could have a criminal record.

Molly was prosecuted and fined £450 in her absence at court for not showing a railcard for her journey in May from St Albans to Luton Airport Parkway.

She claimed she had not uploaded her railcard to the app, but did prove she had bought one by showing the ticket inspector her receipt.

The rail company, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), had sent the court letters to the wrong address and she never received them.

She says: “They got the wrong house number. It went to court without me present and I was found guilty.”

Molly now owes £450 and does not know if she has a criminal record.

She called the court but they said they could not tell her over the phone as that would count as legal advice and she would need to carry out a Disclosure and Barring Service check on herself to find out.

GTR says it gives passengers the opportunity to send in their valid railcards to stop action, adding it had provided details to Molly on how to resolve the court judgement.