Question

[SRogers12]

I was caught shoplifting in Sainsburys I was then taken to the back room by undercover security. They took my name and address then they let me go after they recovered the goods. I got sent a letter from DWF saying I owe £150 which I have payed because it was my own stupid fault.

I was wondering does this now mean I have a criminal record and it will show up on my DBS for the future? Please help as I am panicking and am completely embarrassed because it was my stupid decision.

[PallasAthena]

No it will not give you a criminal record nor will.it show up.on a DBS. You can only get a criminal record if you are prosecuted and found guilty in a magistrates court. DWF have no powers at all, just a private company trying to fleece money from people.

[SRogers12]

Okay thank you! So if I apply for jobs or plan on going on holiday I won't need to put a criminal record. If a employer looks through my file nothing will flag up?

[SRogers12]

Or a police caution?

[PallasAthena]

Did you attend. Police station where a caution was read to you which you signed to accept and to agree that you committed the offence? If not you haven't been given a police caution so none can be recorded.

You don't have criminal record so if asked in any employment or travel form if you have a criminal record the true and accurate answer is 'No'.

Employers cannot 'look through your file' on the police national computer where criminal records are stored. If you in a job eligible for a DBS that's where can employer would see a criminal record if there's one on the PNC. But you don't have one.

[SRogers12]

I didn't go to the police station all dealt with i soccer security at sainsburys

[SRogers12]

No police involvement

[SRogers12]

Sorry to be like this, I know it was extremely stupid and it has been the best thing that's happened to me because I've learnt my lesson! Just for any future jobs will I have to disclose this to them if they do a in depth DBS check because that's what worrying me ! Also with any job application because I have payed the fine I was grabbed and did give my name and address in the back room to security. Have I now been given a criminal record and ruined me life? Thanks for responding!

[PallasAthena]

I'm going to say this just one more time, I'm not going to keep repeating myself.

Neither DWF nor Sainsbury's can issue you with a "fine". Only courts can issue fines. DWF are a private company with no more legal powers than I have. They try to con people into paying them money even though the people have no legal obligation to pay it. They are just chancers. Unfortunately they were successful in conning you and you won't get the money back.

Neither DWF nor Sainsbury's can give you a criminal record or put your details on the PNC. That could only happen if the police prosecuted you in a magistrates court and the magistrates convicted you. None of that happened so you do not have a criminal record nor a PNC record for the incident.

A DBS can only include crimes that are recorded on the PNC. This incident is not recorded on the PNC. Therefore it cannot appear on a DBS.

You have not ruined your life. Although you might do if you don't stop stealing.

[ULA]

Can I just add to what PallasAthena has said, from a future employment perspective this will not show up on any checks.

Learn from this incident and go on and live your life.