in thinking that theft is theft?

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

I went to a conference today. Someone who also attended it has commented that she "found" something in her bag from the conference venue. Whether she put it there or someone else did, it is theft, surely?

[suebfg]

Not necessarily .. maybe it was a pen intended to be handed out to attendees ...

[WorraLiberty]

If someone else put it in her bag then no, it's not theft.

What was it?

[MadgeHarvey]

Found what? A diamond tiara or a half eaten portion of double-heavyweight blancmange left over from lunch?

[Almandine]

Not if someone else put it there, and she intends to return it.

What was this something?

[IvorHughJanus]

There's such an offence as theft by finding. This usually applies if, for example, you spot that someone's left a Tesco bag full of shopping on the bus, and you take it home with you and eat the contents. Not sure whether it would apply in this case as there's not enough info in your op.

[WorraLiberty]

Absent mindedly slipping a half eaten portion of double-heavyweight blancmange left over from lunch in your handbag by accident, is a perfectly easy mistake to make Madge.

Come on, we've all done that....

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

Yes you need to give us more information.

[Socknickingpixie]

theft is to perminantly deprive the rightful owner of something and there has to be intention so no its not. but she should return it

[Hassled]

I think possibly she found it in the same way that some people find things which fall off the back of a lorry. Yes, it's still theft.

[WorraLiberty]

Hold on to your socks everyone

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

A friend of hers put a bottle of fancy handwash in her handbag when she went to the loo.

She has joked about it on facebook. No, I don't particularly like her and I wonder if my reaction is tainted by my dislike of her.

So, I really don't know if IABU!

[FairhairedandFrustrated]

Would she mean a pen or pencil? I quite often find those items in my bag after meetings!!

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

Not a pen. We were all given those!

It was a bottle of Molten Brown handwash (fancy schmancy venue!)

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

The sort that is supposed to sit there by the sinks and be used by all the customers?

yy that is theft.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

I mean, as opposed to little sample bottles for single use.

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

MaryMother, Yes.

[squeakytoy]

It is hardly comparable to the Brinks Mat Robbery..

[suebfg]

It sounds like it's theft on somebody's part then. Make sure you put your nice toiletries away when she's about but then forget about it ... it's just not worth it

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

Large sized bottle of fancy handwash.

[CuttedUpPear]

Call the police then. Zzzzz....

[WorraLiberty]

I hope she made a clean getaway?

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

Ah, Okay! I don't like this particular group of people involved in this silliness so I wondered if my reaction was tainted by this - but perhaps it is. I shall leave it alone and give these horrible people a wide berth instead .

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

Worra

[WorraLiberty]

How do you know the person made the comment?

Did she make it to you personally or did someone else tell you what she said?