Thanks HoneyBee, Thats really helpful, Do you have any idea what sorts of things a lawyer would be able to do? Sorry for all the questions... I know nothing about this. Im going to try get an appointment at the CAB early this coming week, hopefully they can help. I'm very grateful for everyone who has commented, its nice to have support even when your the bad one ...

Ok, I'll do that. Thanks for your advice! I did think that but kinda didn't want to ignore the worst if you know what I mean. Do you have any idea how long it takes to process from the fiscal i.e how long it would be if they decide to send a letter?

I am in no way shape or form in denial that I broke the law - I know that! How do I go about speaking to a solicitor, do I just call?

I never actually said yes I stole them, I just agreed with what they said. There were no tills after the esculater there is however the esculator back up to the store level. So in effect I may have came back up the other esculater if they had not stopped me before hand? She just asked if I had any cash on me and I showed her? The policewoman said she does not know if the Fiscal will proceed or not, it is their decision. Is the only thing I can do to seek legal advice? Iv never had any convictions before so im really confused with what to do? I didnt cause any damage and everythin was recovered and I did appologise. Is it likely having no previous that I will just get a warning etc? Advice?

Ok, Thanks very much for all your help.

Im not sure if it was classed as a proper interview but she did ask me a few questions regarding the incident and took down all my details... there was a tesco worker in the room with me while this happened

The county is Selkirshire so I imagine its Lothian and Borders Police. I feel like it is unlikely for anything to happen given that I have a clean record... But I don't want to get in that frame of mind. A law student friend of mine said that often the police will read you your rights etc but their intention is to scare you into never doing it again. I hope this is the case. Erm, its all still a bit hazzy to me. It was only yesterday it happened but I remember the policewoman saying ''I am charging you with a shoplifting offence which will be passed on to the Fiscal''this was before she read my rights... maybe this was an intimidation technique. Thoughts?

Thank you so much for the swift reply! I wasn't taken to the station the police questioned me in the Tesco store. The items were recovered the minute I put them on the table and I assume taken back onto the shop floor... nothing was damaged at all. I was not given any chance of a solicitor when questioned but I did get the ''are you aware of your rights'' police standard speach thing.... The store called the police the minute I was sat down though, before they had even spoke to me. They did not give me the option to pay for the goods... Thanks

Please help, im in a similar situation - this is my thread... First ever shoplifting offence! Help http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?382586-First-ever-Shoplifting-offence!-Help!!&p=4143716#post4143716

in Tesco the other day for some stupid reason I decided to take goods from tesco and place them in a hessian bag I was carrying with me, I admit it was alot of stuff... mostly products - £160 worth, I am utterly mortified and have never done anything like this before, I paid for the things I had in my basket then as I was going down the esculater (hadn't actually left the main doors) a security guard approached me and escorted me to an interview room. He made me take everything I took out the bag and lay it on the table. The police were called and questioned me to which I admitted my mistake and told them my financial situation after recently losing my job She also asked how much money I had on me.... why was this? She then read me my rights and charged me with shoplifting, I was then escorted off the premesis. I am so sick with worry about what is going to happen I am at University and as my term address is not my permanent address the police said if the fiscal decides a court appearence is necissary the letter will go to my home address.. . WHERE MY PARENTS LIVE!... they will literally kill me and my mum is the type to open my letters.... Please help, is there anything I can do. Should i write a formal letter of appology to tesco or write to the fiscals ofice?? Thanks