Caught shoplifting - Help please

[Renu]

My mother-in-law and I went to do some shopping to b&q on 21/12/2018. Since my mother-in-law was very old she was unable to carry either trolley or buggy. I was using Buggy to carry my shopping. During shopping I left the jacket in the buggy on top of the stuff since it is hot in the store. After couple of hours, my 2 month old baby started crying and I was in a rush to leave the store since I need to feed her. So I bought the items on top of the buggy which were £80.00, however I completely forgot about the stuff under the buggy. As soon as we passed the checkout security and the staff came running and stopped us. Until they pointed out we haven’t realized that there is still some stuff left with us which were not paid. I said sorry and I was in a rush to go home to feed my baby. Then they replied they were watching us from the CCTV and speculated that I deliberately was covering the stuff with my jacket and they said I was trying to cover up the theft using my baby. The total cost of the items which are not paid are £103.00. It was nightmare as my baby was crying and I need to wait until the police arrived. Once the police arrived, after long discussions they made me sign community resolution considering it as the lowest level offence. I signed at the end because I am on VISA and got scared when they said if I don’t sign they will arrest me.
Now the CRS are back of me sending letters to pay £230.00 or else they will send me court notice and then I will be end paying for the magistrate fees as well. They gave me up to 25/01/2019 to pay the cost for the damages.

The store kept the items with them which are in good condition and not at all opened.
I was worried what’s gonna happen to me if I don't pay the CRS. Are they gonna send me a court notice which will affect my VISA.

Any help will be really appreciated.

I have also attached the pdf of the letter sent by CRS

Many Thanks in Advance.

[des8]

Hi and welcome

Ignore CRS as despite all their threatening letters (you'll get more) they will not take this matter to court.
(and if they did go to court it would be a civil claim, so not in a magistrates court so no fine or criminal record there)

We are used to hearing about these civil recovery firms and their empty threats.
One of them tried court a few years back.
They sued a couple who admitted shoplifting, but still they lost as their claims are not genuine.
They aim to scare people into paying their ridiculous demands.


Not sure if a community resolution order will have any effect when renewing your visa/ applying for British citizenship