Yes, yes yes.. I hear what you are saying and agree in princeple. But
pleading guilty means accepting that I actaully intended to comit the
"crime" of avaiding the payment to TFL of £1,20! (although, I was
still going to buy a full day travel card, but that does not count as I
understand). I do not want to accept something I did not do. An
administrative charge, however, of whatever amount is a totally
different matter. I believe the inspector was inexperienced or
incompetent or deliberatly deceptive (now I am beginning to think he
was envious or what not). But he certainly did not take "all
reasonable steps". I am afraid, I will have to see him in court to
talk about it.

Also, I have read now elsewhere that he could only ask for my name and
address, if I refused to pay on the spot.

Btw, there is a similar case now that was highlighted on BBC when a
woman had an Oyster card that did not read properly on a bus. I guess
she also made a "fatal" mistake of agreeing to pay the penalty before
she was asked to.

Thanks for your advice!

R