Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

[Mineral1]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

Also shoplifters tend to line bags

[Mineral1]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

Sorry - I meant tags on the perfume - aren't they usually those little white stick on things that can just be peeled off?

Yeah breaks the security tag

[MissFM]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

OP says that security guard said they had removed tags.

Sorry - missed that.

On perfume, the tags are on the outer cellophane wrap, so to remove them you'd have to remove the cellophane (wouldn't you?) which would anyway render the item non-returnable.

So if the OP had done this, there would be cellophane lying around, or in her bag - which the store detective should have located if he believed she's done this (shouldn't he?)

[stevemLS]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

On the ones I bought at Christmas, they were just white rectangular stick on things that peeled off the cellophane fairly easily.

Am now thinking maybe I shouldn't have done [did it when I got them home and before I wrapped them].

[MissFM]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

They are very sticky indeed - surprised you got them off so easily!

[stevemLS]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

They are very sticky indeed - surprised you got them off so easily!

You're right, they are very sticky - longish fingernails for a bloke helps!

Think we're going slightly off topic now though.

[privatetrey]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

The security guard claimed I removed the tags...��

[privatetrey]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

To be honest I don't think he bothered to even go and pick up the debenhams shopping bag I left on the floor... I requested over and over to look at their cctv and they will see I came in store with my things and they didn't want to hear it rather they accused me of lying. Iam more worried about how this will affect my work.

[stevemLS]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

There is nothing to prevent you writing to the store making a subject access request under s7 of the Data Protection Act asking for the relevant footage. It will cost you £10.

But please don't go into the store for the reasons I outlined above.

Can you afford to get a solicitor?

A conviction for theft, it is fair to say, will not do your work any favours.

How has it been left, have the police bailed you to appear at court?

[privatetrey]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

I was charged, bailed and due to go to court February was provided with duty solicitor but was wondering if I can change as am not happy with duty solicitor for my own observed reasons during interview. I was told not to go to the mall till the day of court. I get legal aid

[stevemLS]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

Yes, you can choose your own solicitor, you just need to find one that accepts legal aid.

When you say told not to go to the mall, is that a condition of your bail? If so, you must not under any circumstances go, if you did and were caught, that is a breach of bail and is likely to see you end up remanded in custody - essentially the courts take a very dim view of anyone who interferes with the process of administration of justice.

At the first hearing, all that is likely to happen is you will be asked if you plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty they will fix a date for your trial.

[privatetrey]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

Iam not planning to go to the mall and thanx for giving me an idea of what might happen.

[wales01man]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

Get the best Solicitor you can afford ,if this gets to court the fact that your friend admitted the offence may well go against you.

Remember a magistrate will hear lies from someone in their mind that is you or the security people its a gamble get the odds in your favour with legal help

[Mineral1]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

Get the best Solicitor you can afford ,if this gets to court the fact that your friend admitted the offence may well go against you.

Remember a magistrate will hear lies from someone in their mind that is you or the security people its a gamble get the odds in your favour with legal help

To be honest this is not the best of strategies. My experience of retail is long, shoplifting is so common it tends to just grind through the legal system, I would be writing to the local store. Remember this, IF the lady is innocent then the store has effectively deprived her of her property. They have an obligation to carry out their own internal investigation. If she returned a dress that can be established. Other things, how were these goods purchased? If not by cash then the receipts may not be required as card transaction can show the purchase from the store. How were these goods purchased? Were they a Christmas gift?

[privatetrey]

Re: Falsely accused of shoplifting in Debenhams

I have tried to look for another solicitor with no joy unfortunately they state that the crime is small that it's either get acquitted or caution or fine if I remember well. They r not willing to take my case as apparently I have no previous conviction cut won't lead to jail do my best bet is duty solicitor which Iam using at the moment and not happy with or to use the one provided on the day. Should I be cleared of committing this offence I am planning on asking for my stuff back as am not happy abt them taking them considering the lady at the store said there was not proof there were bought there when I tried to exchange. Another thing if anyone can ad is I been told that I should request my case to be heard in high court as it will be best for me. You state I should request cctv footage will the store provide me this without any hassle or shld I ask the solicitor to do so on my behalf...