• Welcome to the LegalBeagles Consumer and Legal Forum.
    Please Register to get the most out of the forum. Registration is free and only needs a username and email address.
    REGISTER
    Please do not post your full name, reference numbers or any identifiable details on the forum.

Shoplifting help?

Collapse
Loading...
X
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Shoplifting help?

    I was in tescos today ... I have two children and had no money, I had already gone two days without myself eating! Exhausted and starving ... I felt I had to get food so I started putting stuff in my bag and walked out of the store praying I'd get away with it! I admit I shouldn't steal and this is the first time ever .... I have no criminal record. The security were very aggressive to me which I understand but I was so scared, apparently the shopping came to approx. £100, all food no luxury items expect washing tablets!
    They asked me my side of the story and I lied as I was scared and ashamed, I told them I meant to pay but just forgot ... The security were having none of it so they then called the police, who came very fast. He checked the footage and said he believed me as I have never committed any crime and was over 35+, tescos took my photo and banned me for a year and then made me read a letter about recovering losses. I didn't sign anything and I offered to pay the money for the shop (my rent and electric money) but tescos wouldn't have it! Then after I was led out the policeman said I had to fill in this form, but when he went to get it he said he didn't have it on him and would post it. So I need help please:

    1. Have I got a criminal record now?
    2. Do I go to court or something?
    3. They mentioned RLB what is it exactly and do I have to pay it?

    I am so scared and terrified, I have no money and NEEDED FOOD. I wanted my kids to have some nice food items like yogurt, chocolate (2X small bar of milky bar) and some fresh vegetables. I was wrong what I did but this is day three without food for me the kids food is running low too. What do I do now? Will social services get involved? Will I get a criminal record and be unable to get a job? I am a trained nursery teacher and I am trying to get a job so desperately if I have a criminal record I don't think I'll be hired.
    I am really sorry but mainly as I have nothing to eat and the kids haven't had anything special (sweets) in ages. It's strange but when I was in the room I just felt numb, I DID protest my innocence even though I know I was guilty but I was scared. I think the policeman took pity on me, he was really nice not like security. I am sorry if I have dragged this letter out but I have nobody to talk to and now it's school break my kids are not going to have a decent meal (they have free dinners at school), I feel like a failure and I have nobody to help me and I can't afford a lawyer. Honestly I am so hungry and tired as the hunger wakes me at night, I often go without food so this is common for me but I am just numb inside and I feel so mental and physically low, I am not sure I want to keep living if it wasn't for the kids I would have ended it now.
    Please advise me, thank you
    Last edited by WelshDoll; 28th May 2017, 23:08:PM.
    Tags: None

  • #2
    Re: Shoplifting help?

    Hi WelshDoll, welcome to LB

    Clearly the priority is to ensure that you & yours are properly fed.

    The irony here is that tesco actually donate & support charitable organisations which deal with this very issue & who help folks in need.

    See https://www.tesco.com/food-collection/ for links to them.

    As for repercussions concerning the shoplifting incident, there's about as much chance of that as there is for me to win the lottery.
    If you do get what we on LB jokingly call 'scary letters', ignore them for what they are; irritating nuisances.
    & have a read of some of the other threads on here about similar situations. (There are some at the bottom of this thread).
    CAVEAT LECTOR

    This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

    You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
    Cohen, Herb


    There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
    gets his brain a-going.
    Phelps, C. C.


    "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
    The last words of John Sedgwick

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Shoplifting help?

      Hi
      Were you taken to the police station and given a caution - I might be wrong but they used to be given by a senior officer

      If you have a caution it is not a criminal record but would likely show up on an enhanced disclosure ( if you were applying for certain jobs) however I am told that even convictions do not necessarily bar you from many jobs

      Now to the issue of food
      Are there any food banks near you, there is no shame at all in using them , I did last summer I think when HB decided to suddenly suspend my payments . You often need a referral from say the local council but they hand them out easily.

      The food bank I went to was in a church where I was given a cuppa and a chat but no one tried to 'save' me or thrust religion down my throat ( Maybe they knew I am past saving)

      The priority is feeding you all

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Shoplifting help?

        Get yourself to Citizens Advice / Council or the DWP offices and ask for a referral for the food bank. They really are good and totally non judgmental. I'd recommend getting an appt with CAB regardless as they might be able to go through your budget with you and pick up if you aren't claiming something you're entitled to or if there's ways you can rejig outgoings to prioritys.

        Don't worry about RLP - they are nothing to do with the Police at all and anything they do has no relevance to criminal records etc. The Police haven't fined you and charged you with any offence so no you don't have a criminal record.

        RLP will simply send you letters asking you for money. Which you can ignore.

        the policeman said I had to fill in this form, but when he went to get it he said he didn't have it on him and would post it.
        I'd guess that was the security about the RLP letter, rather than the police, but if the Police send you something through, post back on here with it.
        #staysafestayhome

        Any support I provide is offered without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

        Received a Court Claim? Read >>>>> First Steps

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Shoplifting help?

          I am so pleased you put your children first in doing so you end up in the clutches of RLP or similar who care only for money they will not look into the reasons you did this.
          Advice is to ignore any letters from anyone demanding money they cannot unless they are the Police and courts but only after you have a chance to defend yourself from this As Ame and others state please get the help that's available food banks etc no one will preach or judge you please carry on looking after the children and youself

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Shoplifting help?

            Hi [MENTION=102262]WelshDoll[/MENTION]

            I do agree with what the other Beagles have said so far ... RLP are liable to send a few letters, but are OK to ignore. Getting an appointment at the CAB is a good idea. You can search for foodbanks in your area on the Trussell Trust website here - https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

            Also ... it might be an idea to go to your local Social Services office. A good few years ago I found myself homeless with two young children. I was unable to claim any DWP benefits at the time (they'd decided that I made myself 'intentionally' unemployed due to losing my house) but Social Services have a fund that allows them to pay the equivalent of JSA/IS to those that meet the criteria. You might find that you can get extra money coming in that way too

            Good luck hun xx
            Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

            It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

            recte agens confido

            ~~~~~

            Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

            I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
            But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

            Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Shoplifting help?

              Firstly thank you for your replies and for not judging me, I didn't go to the police station or anything like that, the officer just said he was going out to his car to go over a form to fill out. When I got to his car he just said whoops I forgot it, I was wondering if this was him taking pity on me? As he didn't even look for the form? There was no mention of a caution or anything other the security guard being really aggressive and coming up in my face saying "he knows I stole the stuff on purpose", admitidly yes I did but did my best to play dumb! So I am praying nothing goes on my police record as I want to get back to working with children again, also does this mean social services will get involved now? I am worried about this as if you take a child down the hospital for a fall they get social services to contact you and I am so worried if they came to my house now and saw hardly anything in the cupboards and barely any electricity on the meter! My partner left me in tons and tons of debt, he wasn't paying our bills put using the money for betting so I didn't realise until they cut the electric off and I found a rent arrears notice (when I kicked him out).
              As for the food banks who do I ask .... I am too afraid to just ask anyone I case they think I am not looking after my children, and then find out I tried to shoplift! It might sound strange but I don't know if it's lack of food and stress but I don't care what directly happens to me but how this will affect the children and my hopes of getting a job so I can get us out of debt.
              The policeman didn't really say anything other than he thought I was innocent so I don't know if he will put this on record or I will have to go to court I'm totally lost?
              Again I want to thank you so much for your non-judgemental replies and I will see about the food bank if you can tell me who to contact please.
              Thanks so much X

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Shoplifting help?

                You can contact your local council to see which foodbanks operate in your area ... some (such as the trussell trust) insist on a referral from a GP/social worker/the CAB etc... others don't.

                You might find that a local church has set up a kitchen of some sort where you can take your kids and get a meal, or that they have their own foodbank where you can just turn up.

                Is there a salvation Army church near you?? They often help with utility top-ups as well as having food parcels and lunch clubs - https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/emergency-assistance

                The Childrens Society has a map where you can search for local Welfare Assistance schemes - https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/...istance-scheme
                as does CPAC - http://www.cpag.org.uk/lwas?dm_i=5MH...9SBEA6,8LJZ5,1
                Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

                It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

                recte agens confido

                ~~~~~

                Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
                But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

                Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Shoplifting help?

                  Another question if I may [MENTION=102262]WelshDoll[/MENTION] ... are you claiming any benefits or tax credits??
                  Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

                  It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

                  recte agens confido

                  ~~~~~

                  Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                  I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
                  But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

                  Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Shoplifting help?

                    Hi

                    They will not find out about your fun in the supermarket and are not out to judge you. Social Workers would rather a children stayed in a loving safe home than anywhere else anyway. There have been many chances over the years so the horror stories that use to be in the press do not happen.
                    I dont think any Sw would get involved anyway
                    Last edited by warwick65; 29th May 2017, 11:16:AM. Reason: changed living to loving

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Shoplifting help?

                      Originally posted by Kati View Post
                      Another question if I may [MENTION=102262]WelshDoll[/MENTION] ... are you claiming any benefits or tax credits??
                      I am claiming benefits but I have a debt from my husband on the account and they take so much of my payment off me to repay that. Then the electricity company had me put in meters that as soon as I put money on they take half immediately so I am always struggling. Their father has done a runner and just disappeared and i went to court to get money for the kids but he only gave me one payment and then ... Nothing? I have to pay my rent as I have a private landlord and then their is a loan shark that comes round and demands money (hubby lent money apparently), the only thing I've been banking on is the healthy start vouchers which I use for milk and some veg/fruit if I can manage it.

                      In regard to the other reply I am so relieved to hear that social services won't be involved, I have never had them in my kids life and am quite terrified of them as I was in care as a child and they were always so abrupt.

                      I finally confided in an elderly neighbour today who always comments on how nice the kids are (polite), I got talking to her and explained I was going through a tough time wherein I started crying she brought me and the kids in her house and I told her about my food situation. She was lovely and insisted on making dinner for me and the children, her husband even took the kids to the shop and bought them chocolate and sweets! She has also offered to knit some jumpers/cardigans for the kids, and told me of how her and her husband couldn't have children and that the little ones were more than welcome to come around (and me) anytime. The husband insisted on giving me £50 for the electric meter ... Which I reluctantly took and got electricity and went back to show them the receipt so they didn't think I just used it for other stuff. I will be contacting a food bank and I have to keep saying to my lovely neighbours how much I appreciate their help .... I honestly can thank them enough.

                      Also thanks to all of you for the advice I will be taking it ..... And not paying the tesco RLP letters! By the way how come I can get away without paying the fine from RLP when it comes?

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Shoplifting help?

                        RLP FiNE ??????????????????????//////// they cannot fine anybody, only a court can do that, Simply ignore the letters, they eventually stop as they cannot afford the postage .

                        as far a court orders and maintenance payments ? know what you mean there years ago ex wife went to court for maintenance for 3 children and all they did was write off £600 at time and the tax man still taxed me on monies never received and stated the original court order stays. hard luck eventaually adopted them end of silly courts.

                        stay away from shop lifting as the kids will be taken away into temporary care and a long haul back to get them back.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Shoplifting help?

                          Hi
                          With regard to the debt you are repaying for your rat of an ex , are you named on the agreement/account?

                          If not you shouldn't be paying it , if yes , well you should just be paying a token payment of say £1 a month.

                          If you haven't talked to them, you need to and explain your circumstances

                          What is the debt and how much do you owe?

                          I am sure if your kids are cared for no one would want to change anything however there is no shame in asking for help -I know qualified social workers and also foster carers , they really do not want to split families up. More often than not they work with the family to make things better - the problem is , it is only ever the bad experiences you hear about, not the success storied. Someone I know who is about to graduate with a good degree from a leading University spent much of her youth in care . Sometimes however, and I am not saying this is your case, a few days/weeks of foster care can help you get things together. I know of a couple of cases where the foster care was just a few weeks.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Shoplifting help?

                            Originally posted by WelshDoll View Post
                            I am claiming benefits but I have a debt from my husband on the account and they take so much of my payment off me to repay that. Then the electricity company had me put in meters that as soon as I put money on they take half immediately so I am always struggling. Their father has done a runner and just disappeared and i went to court to get money for the kids but he only gave me one payment and then ... Nothing? I have to pay my rent as I have a private landlord and then their is a loan shark that comes round and demands money (hubby lent money apparently), the only thing I've been banking on is the healthy start vouchers which I use for milk and some veg/fruit if I can manage it.
                            we can help you sort out affordable repayments for most of these too (if you tell us what they are

                            Your benefits should only be reduced by a certain amount a week, which should leave you with enough to live on. If you spoke to the energy company, they should be able to lessen the amount that is taken from your meter. You should contact the court about the father not paying for the children (they might be able to take money straight from any wages etc...). The loan shark should be reported (can be done anonymously online - https://www.gov.uk/report-loan-shark)

                            As Warwick said, ANYTHING that was/is not in your name you should stop paying. Any debts/loans that your ex-husband took out on his own are his to deal with (not yours)! You can write to the companies involved informing them that he doesn't live there anymore which, while they may ask to see some sort of proof, should mean that they stop trying to collect from you

                            K xx
                            Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

                            It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

                            recte agens confido

                            ~~~~~

                            Any advice I provide is given without liability, if you are unsure please seek professional legal guidance.

                            I can be emailed if you need my help loading pictures/documents to your thread. My email address is Kati@legalbeagles.info
                            But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

                            Specialist advice can be sought via our sister site JustBeagle

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Shoplifting help?

                              If you know the National insurance number of your ex then the CSA can then take up the chase on the father because, provided they are in full time paid work, they can take the money directly from his pay packet as a deduction
                              "Family means that no one gets forgotten or left behind"
                              (quote from David Ogden Stiers)

                              Comment

                              View our Terms and Conditions

                              LegalBeagles Group uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to create a secure and effective website. By using this website, you are consenting to such use.To find out more and learn how to manage cookies please read our Cookie and Privacy Policy.

                              If you would like to opt in, or out, of receiving news and marketing from LegalBeagles Group Ltd you can amend your settings at any time here.


                              If you would like to cancel your registration please Contact Us. We will delete your user details on request, however, any previously posted user content will remain on the site with your username removed and 'Guest' inserted.
                              Working...
                              X