06/08/2016, Ticket penalty.

Having taken my sister and her grand-son,my god-son, to the Liverpool street train station,the 3.55 was to depart for the Stansted airport, so we quickly said our good-byes,I stood for a few moments by the barriers and when I couldn't see them any longer,turned towards the underground. And then I realized the handle of the suitcase I was carrying was still firmly in my hand.I quickly explained to the guard what happened, he could see me waiving and believed me, he let me through and I boarded the train walking from one carriage to the next. When I finally saw them in the last carriage but one, the train was moving and I knew I was also going to Stansted! No-one came to check the tickets and there was no other way I knew of to buy one on the train,so when we stopped at the airport I went immediately towards the guard,explained briefly what had happened asking where to go and purchase one. Little did I know that what would follow would emotionally scar me for life [this is a joke,I am made of sterner stuff!] The attitude was - you travel without a ticket you are a criminal and we have the right to treat you as such. To cut the long story I didn't see the end of,short, I said to the young policeman,whom I could feel believed me and if a policeman indicates he believes you,it is quite something - I have had enough of this,doesn't this man understand plain English,I want to end this and pay. So at long last I handed the Chinaman the £38 penalty and another £19 for the ticket back to London. I believe I have 21 days to appeal and appeal I will.Do I believe it is not going to make the slightest difference and I am not going to get part of the money back? Yes.