The 22-year-old engineer warned that he could face a criminal record because he mistakenly bought the wrong train ticket

An engineering graduate who was threatened with legal action after mistakenly using an invalid train ticket to travel on a Northern train has been told he will face no further action over his mistake.

Sam Williamson, 22, used his 16-25 Railcard to travel between Broadbottom and Manchester a week ago but was accused of fare evasion.

He was on his way to a DSA center to take his driving theory test when he was told by Northern staff that his ticket was invalid. However, stubborn staff reportedly refused to let him make up the £1.90 difference and insisted on filing a fine report.

Mr Williamson was then threatened with legal action for using an “Anytime” ticket at the wrong time – namely before 10am, when unclear Railcard rules mean tickets must cost at least £12 to benefit from the 33- percent discount.

But the self-confessed theme park obsessive took to social media this morning, four days after he first shared his story online, to reveal he would not face any further action over his mistake, writing: “We did it !”

However, after his tweets received millions of views, he took to his platform to call for an overhaul of the rules for issuing train tickets – some of which are older than the train tickets themselves and don’t even mention them.

Have YOU been prosecuted for a traffic ticket? Email [email protected]

Mr Williamson was traveling from Broadbottom to Manchester to take his driving theory test when he was told before 10am that his rail card was invalid for journeys under £12

Northern was accused of being unnecessarily harsh on people who used rail cards to purchase tickets they did not know would be invalidated

Mr Williamson breached an obscure 16-25 railcard rule which prevents them from being used for fares under £12 before 10am on weekdays

Speaking to MailOnline today, Mr Williamson said he was pleased Northern had come to the “right” conclusion – but the victory was bittersweet.

“The vast majority of people agreed that this was the right answer, but that is in no small part because this case received overwhelming coverage,” he said.

He called on the government to simplify rail ticket rules – which the Department for Transport has pledged to do – but also says companies like Northern should show compassion to people who have struggled to pay their fares.

“There are supposedly further cases going to court with Northern on Monday and those shouldn’t actually happen, particularly over (the use of) a railcard before 10am,” Mr Williamson added.

“Taking this to court is simply completely disproportionate and I hope the government takes steps to prevent them from bringing cases like mine: accidents caused by these terms and conditions.”

“I hope they step in to put a stop to this – especially since Northern is a state-owned franchise.”

“I would have bought the right ticket if someone had offered.”

After telling his story, Bolton News journalist Jack Fifield discovered that Northern had successfully prosecuted other young adults who used their railcards at the “wrong” time over paltry train fares, costing people hundreds of pounds in court fees .

They include Cerys Piper, who had a criminal record and was fined £462.80 for offering a £1.60 discount on an “anytime” ticket worth £4.80.

To make matters worse, she bought the ticket from the station staff, who failed to inform her that the ticket would be invalid until 10am due to the outdated rules.

Mr Williamson said he hoped more cases like his would now be reviewed.

“What is happening in these cases is not a fair and proportionate response,” he added.

“I would hope that after trying to prevent this from happening in the future, they can right some of these past mistakes.”

Cerys Piper (pictured) was fined £462 after mistakenly applying a Bahncard discount to her train ticket

The government promised to simplify the issuing of tickets on Britain’s railways to make it easier for customers to understand. Pictured: A closed ticket office at Charing Cross station

Northern had previously issued a harsh response to media inquiries about its approach to what it described as “fare evasion” – even when people had tried to buy a ticket for their journey.

It said: “As with all train operators in the UK, everyone is required to purchase a valid ticket or promise-to-pay voucher before boarding the train and to be able to present it to the conductor or tax agent during a train.” Ticket inspection.

“The vast majority of our customers – more than 96 percent – ​​do exactly that.”

However, towards the end of the week the company softened its stance, telling MailOnline on Thursday: “Tens of millions of passengers travel with us to destinations in the north of England every year and we are committed to providing them with the right tickets and the right prices.” .

“We will work with industry and the Department of Transport to make ticketing easier for customers.”

Contacted for further comment.

Mr Williamson had previously used his rail card for morning journeys in July and August when the 10am rule did not apply, BBC News had reported.

The Oxford University engineering graduate bought the mistaken “Anytime” ticket using the Northern app.

He previously told MailOnline: “It’s amazing to see how many people are affected by this.” Northern Rail is one of the stricter providers when it comes to control.

“The fine is £150.” “That is completely disproportionate compared to the difference between the ticket fair and the ticket market.”

He added: “It’s frustrating.” I have used this railway line most of my life. You used to be able to get on the train and buy a ticket there.

“I think there is a certain level of intimidation.” I’m not trying to start a scene and cause trouble.

“It just feels unfair and a disproportionate response.”

Holders of 16-25 rail cards, which cost £30 for one year or £70 for three years, are entitled to a third non-rail journey.

The system was first introduced in 1974 as a “student ID card”.

However, some restrictions apply, including a minimum fare of £12 for journeys starting before 10am.

Mr Williamson’s ticket cost him just £3.95, meaning his trip could not be discounted.

He was not given the opportunity to buy a new ticket or pay a fine, but instead a report of the incident was made.

Northern Railway declined to comment on its policy of not allowing customers to pay small price differences for invalid tickets, stressing that 96 percent of passengers comply with the rules

Rail operators have the power to privately prosecute passengers who pay the incorrect fare, but can also choose to settle out of court or take no further action.

But initiating a criminal prosecution is an opportunity to extract a far greater penalty from customers than a tiny difference in price or the cost of a new ticket.

A DfT spokesman said: “Ticket sales have become far too complicated, which is why we are committed to making it easier for customers as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.”

“We expect Northern to ensure its ticketing policies are clear and fair to passengers at all times and have instructed the operator to urgently review the details of these cases.”

A spokeswoman for the Rail Delivery Group said: “We cannot comment on individual cases.” However, all customers must have a valid ticket and if they use a Railcard it is important to find out about the travel conditions that apply to their journeys.

“All employees involved in setting penalty fees make decisions based on the customer’s individual circumstances. There is a rigorous statutory appeal process for every sentence imposed, which includes an independent final stage of appeal to consider wider circumstances.”