Shoplifting at Asda

[Semc]

Hi
Im after some advice please.
Today I was seen leaving Asda with items I hadn’t paid for (quite a few but nothing really expensive) concealed in my pram. My friend works at Asda phoned me and told me I had been seen doing this and now have a ban. My question is do you think they will take this further as I wasn’t stopped at the store? Will they go through the CCTV footage? To see if it’s happened before (it has)? And is it a ban for life? I know it was a stupid thing to do and I have no intention of going back there and certainly have learnt my lesson about stealing, I would just like to know what the repercussions are likely to be.

[jaguarsuk]

As you have walked out with goods they could inform the police whom may or may not choose to follow this up.

Equally they could choose some form of civil recovery if your friend were to provide them with your name and address for their loss.

You might have no intention of going back there, but if the goods are in a returnable state then you would be well advised to return, ask to speak to the manager, explain yourself, apologise and return them or pay for them.

If Asda have their goods back or you've bought them you haven't attempted to permanently deprive them of the goods and therefore not committed theft. Additionally if they are returned in a saleable state or you've bought them Asda have suffered no loss and therefore have no civil claim against you.

[Semc]

Will try & work out what I didn’t pay for as I did pay for some of it & threw the receipt away on the way out. Will they know which items have been paid for and which were stolen?

[jaguarsuk]

I would imagine they could probably follow a trail around the store on CCTV and attempt to see what you picked up then compare that against what went through the till. but it would be quite an exhaustive process. Do your best to figure out and show you tried to return or pay for everything.

The more important question is why did you do it? (rhetorical question so not one you need to answer)

If it's a case that you are struggling financially and this was born more of necessity then perhaps think about visiting citizens advice. Otherwise, don't do it again!!

[Semc]

And if they do decide to prosecute can I expect a knock on the door from the police or a letter?

[des8]

If they inform the police, you might be invited to the local cop shop for an interview.
This is not for a cup of tea and biscuits,
If that happens request the duty solicitor is present.

If you receive an invitation from a civil recovery firm to pay £xx, simply ignore it.

[Semc]

Invited via a letter or a visit to my front door?

[des8]

Most likely a letter as they can't afford to send men out !!!!
If they do happen to knock tell them you will only attend an interview at the station with a solicitor present

[Semc]

True I suppose! Thank you for your advice. I am absolutely beside myself with worry. I know it’s completely my fault my I think this is the wake up call I needed to deal with a number of issues in my life.

[jaguarsuk]

If they report it to the Police it will be whether the officer deems it needing following up. Given how stretched the Police are to the point where they don't show up to burglaries anymore I doubt it'll be a massive priority and even less so if they have the goods back. It is however a possibility, so I would be letting you down if I didn't say its an option.

If you don't return the goods, your friend provides your details and they decided they could file a county court claim for their loss against you, however it'd take time and effort outweighing the eventual repayment.

Whether you do or don't return the goods and if your friend provides your details you will get a letter from a company called RLP. The letters will tell you they want you to pay a fine and threaten blue murder. Only a court can fine you and these letters should be ignored. They are speculative invoices.

A lot will stem from whether your friend has given over your details.

[Semc]

Thank you. My friend doesn’t think they’re going to take it further & is going to keep me informed of any further developments so we’ll see. Your advice has been very helpful.