Michelle wrote:
Its been a few months now and I've received a court summons. I've
been given 3 options; to plead guilty and not attend, plead guilty
and attend or plead not guilty. What would be the best option?

From what you said here in February (using a relative's Freedom Pass for
part of your journey), you are clearly guilty of the offence, and you
won't be able to persuade the magistrate that you're not, so you should
plead guilty. For attendance, see below.

Also should I request the witness/inspector to also attend?

I see no point, as the facts are not in dispute.

If I attend what happens and what is expected of me? Will I be
questioned and what should I say?

You will have to stand in the dock and hear LU's solicitor explain the
case against you, including what you said at the time, and anything you
may have written in response to the letter from LU in March. The
magistrate will then ask you what you have to say, and that is your
opportunity to explain things from your point of view, and to say how
very sorry you are that you were so stupid. If you are not confident
that you will be able to do this, you should plead guilty by post with a
written statement.

I rather doubt whether it's worth hiring a solicitor to represent you in
court, but that's something you could discuss with a solicitor now (e.g.
via Citizens Advice Bureau). Although we might feel that a confident
personal appearance would help, I suspect that magistrates don't
actually take much notice in this sort of case.

You said previously that the Freedom Pass belonged to a relative who
knew you had it. I think it's very important that you should explain
exactly why you normally hold the Freedom Pass, because otherwise it
would look as if you had borrowed it without permission. Depending on
the circumstances it may be useful to get the Freedom Pass holder (or
someone else) to confirm the arrangement in a separate letter that you
could send to the court.

Otherwise, just explain in detail what you did and why, say that you
realise it was stupid, and that you're very sorry.

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)