Here's a question for everyone other than Mr. Self Righteous (i think we can all guess what your response will be, so save yourself the trouble of posting it)

If a passenger says that they didn't hear the card reader emit the 'fail' signal (and the inspector wasn't on the bus to disprove this version of events) how can TFL possibly prosecute them for DELIBERATE fare evasion? Surely it's up to TFL to PROVE that this is NOT the case by taking witness statements from passengers, the driver and examining CCTV evidence. If NONE of this evidence is presented, how can the magistrate possibly return a guilty verdict?!