I recently had a similar distressing experience to Sabrina Lonergan (The Argus, September 28).

The ticket machine at Shoreham Station was out of order and a train was approaching the station.

I did not have time to sprint down the steps to the booking office on the other side of the track and then sprint back so I boarded the train and found the guard in order to buy my ticket.

She told me, and some others who were in the same situation, she had no ticket machine but the ticket inspectors at Brighton Station knew this and we should just go and pay our fare at the booth.

I was the first to get to the booth and was given the third degree by the inspector, named Colin.

His manner was extremely officious and severe and he made me feel like a criminal.

I explained why I could not buy a ticket but he insisted I pay the £20 fine, plus the ticket cost.

I asked to see his manager but he said he was not available, so I paid the fine.

A young girl then approached, who had been part of the group on the train without tickets, and she went through the same procedure with the inspector.

She pleaded poverty and became upset so he let her off with a warning.

When I protested I was being treated differently to her, he replied: "You are old enough to know better."

As I was then late meeting a friend to go to the theatre, I did not take this any further.

But I was appalled by the rudeness of the inspector and the implication I was fare-dodging.

I don't understand the logic of guards being able to sell tickets on the train if passengers are supposed to have a ticket before they board.

  • Gudrun Hansen, Gordon Road, Shoreham-by-Sea