Caught shop lifting in Boots

[Charlierose]

Hi, I was caught shoplifting in boots today with my partner. He had no involvement in it at all. He was just with me. As we left, the street ranger came after us and told us the security of Boots would like to talk to us. We went back with him, thought there's no point in trying to fight it and admitted to what I did, and gave him the goods I had taken. I've never stolen before. It was a one off. I am on lots of medication for a long term disability, and have (mental health) BPD, which makes me impulsive, and silly sometimes. I told the security guard this, but he didn't respond. He was really lovely, not intimidating at all, and handled it really discretely. However, we were held in the room, which had a code to get into, and I asked to go to the toilet and was told no, and that I could go after. I was crying & shaking, and on the verge of having a panic attack (from feeling claustrophobic) he took our details, and "distinguishing features" (my tattoo on my leg) and then asked me to sign something to confirm I / we wouldn't return to the store. Now, he's said we will receive a fine each, from RLP, and threatened that if this wasn't paid, it would escalate further to the police. I asked him when we would receive this letter by, and he said he had no idea. So now I'm just sat anxiously waiting. has anyone got any advice? I'm also signed off sick, so have next to no income, and my partner is supporting me. I'm awaiting disability allowance, but haven't heard from them yet. I was wondering if my mental health could be mentioned at all to them? I don't know what to do. Please help in anyway possible! & is it right my boyfriend will receive a separate fine just because he was stood with me? Thanks so much. Oh I'm 21, and he's 22 by the way x

[des8]

Hi there and welcome

Firstly don't worry about police involvement as there won't be any, and this incident will not affect your future in any way (unless you particularly like shopping in that Boots, which you should avoid for some while)

Secondly you will not be fined.
Fines in the UK are imposed by the courts, fixed penalties by the police and certain authorities.
What you will receive are a series of letters from RLP demanding an extortionate amount of money for imagined losses suffered by Boots.
Theses letters are written in legalese, and threaten all sorts if payment is not received, even suggesting they will refer it back to Boots for instructions to initiate a court claim.
It is all just threats.
The last time they tried court they were roundly trounced as their claim had no merit.
So when you receive their letters just ignore them.
After five or six letters, even writing some with BIG RED CAPITALS, they give up.

The same advice to your boyfriend
IGNORE, IGNORE & IGNORE SOME MORE

[Setmefree3]

Agree with DES8. RLP= Read,Light,Poof and it’s gone.

[ostell]

RLP and Boots tried court a few years ago, in Oxford, and got so severely chewed off by the judge that RLP have never tried again.