Stole from m&s very worried

[strangerdanger]

I know I was wrong and I'd pay 10 thousand pounds in fine if I had to but the jail idea is destroying me.

What would happen to my child.

I'd lose my job.

No way to pay mortgage.

People would find out and I'd be hated by those who know me.

I know a lot of people will probably say "I won't do this again" and then when nothing happens they probably get right back to it. Not me.

We've sat down together and spoke about the whole situation.

About how it's shocked us and that it's not worth it going forward.

We've decided not to go to m&s anymore and to write down what we are going to buy and make a budget.

Buying our meat from the butchers and using aldi for our veg, bits and pieces.

My partner didn't like me doing it at all at first but then after getting away with it a few my partner became OK with it.

Its my fault I got my partner into it and I feel guilty for that.

I understand my partner is in the wrong just as I am, no one forced anyone into it. 

[dx100uk]

please stop hitting quote

just type in the msg box.

there will be no prison

there will be no police.

dx

 

[lolerz]

Honestly, this wake up call is probably what you needed.

The likelihood of police being involved is practically zero. They usually don't bother for reports after the fact (security would have had to have placed you under citizens arrest) and the amount you've stole is relatively so little it wouldn't be worth their time.

Use this as a learning experience, and build back better. You've got my full support!

You absolutely 100% need to talk to someone about this. Speak to someone on the phone ideally, as it sounds like in-person support didn't work. Talking matters was likely group therapy and you really need 1-to-1 support now.

If you put your postcode into this form, it will give you the number for your local mental health urgent support team.

Mental Health Helpline for Urgent Help - NHS

WWW.NHS.UK

---

Find NHS urgent mental health helplines for people of all ages. Call for 24-hour support from a local service to help you with a mental health emergency.

You can also contact Samaritans on 116 123.

If you would prefer to vent using text over speaking to someone. You can text SHOUT to 85258 at any time and it will connect you to someone who will listen to YOU. Not a group.

All these services are anonymous, non-judgmental and COMPLETELY FREE.

Also consider Anxiety UK on 03444 775 774. This number is available Monday-Friday, 10:30-16:30.

You've been signposted to support, now is the time to use it!

[London1971]

Police involvement,  highly , highly unlikely? Prison? not in a million years, more likely a slap on the wrist

[shandoli]

According to this, the maximum for less than £200 is 6 months but I doubt those are given out readily. 

[BazzaS]

You need to read ALL of those sentencing guidelines (rather than the ‘barebones’), so, including:

a) culpability

b) harm,

c) mitigation, and

d) totality.

 

I doubt the police would be involved, but I can’t be so certain as to say “it’d never happen”

Even if it did, I can’t see (under those guidelines, for the facts stated) that there would be a custodial sentence.

Edited February 19 by BazzaS

[strangerdanger]

I've been reading loads on different forums and articles on Google.

I've not seen any responses on forums to what had happened to them after being caught and contacted by the police.

But I've seen plenty of articles with people getting weeks and months in prison for stealing food/drinks anywhere from £150 to over 2 thousand. Many of them had been caught by security but there is a couple that says the cctv was sent to police and they tracked them down.

But they wouldn't need to track anyone down when they can easily look at the debit card used? 

I have no idea if anyone has seen before this occasion or if this is the first time. I was hoping they would be waiting for me next time to stop me. But the more I read about this stuff the more i think I'm screwed.

[honeybee13]

In our experience, frequently people don't come back to tell us if it went well, as I see it. If it goes badly it seems they come back for further advice.

HB

[dx100uk]

1 hour ago, strangerdanger said:

I've not seen any responses on forums to what had happened to them after being caught and contacted by the police.

you weren't stopped at the time on the day, so the police would not be the first point of contact to you now. never seen nor heard of the police knocking on doors.

1 hour ago, strangerdanger said:

But I've seen plenty of articles with people getting weeks and months in prison for stealing food/drinks

mostly gang members AND the police were called when caught in store. 

1 hour ago, strangerdanger said:

there is a couple that says the cctv was sent to police and they tracked them down.

i very much doubt that unless it was for £100's or £1000's of in store theft. yours is not serious to them. and over many occasions. not worth the staff time to find them all and tot up your total 'theft' .

1 hour ago, strangerdanger said:

the more I read about this stuff the more i think I'm screwed.

nope.

they dont even know who you are and the store/security staff most certainly under LAWS cannot pass your details on to anyone other than the police.

if these RLP/DWF retail loss scammers latterly write i'd be seriously questioning their GDPR right to do this. never ever heard of it ever happening .

i used to work with in store/shopping centre security CCTV for +25yrs. never once did this happen to a joe public on theft that wasnt +£1000's worth.

dx

[strangerdanger]

most likely they will just be waiting for me to return? 

As I was walking up to the self check out there were two guys there one of them kept looking over at me and then when I was there he kept watching (stupid to continue I know).  Then he went straight to my till right after I left it, logged in and started checking.

This is the same guy I saw run out really fast to stop someone who tripped the alarm about 2 month ago (security tag on beef).

Which makes me think someone may have reported it the previous time. Or maybe not.

[London1971]

violent and serious offenders are being let out early because of overcrowded, and underfunded prisons they are most certainly NOT locking up people for stealing a few hundred quids worth of crisps.  However take it as a warning sign not to continue, because you really don't want a criminal record.