Will I go to prison

[user1496147688]

Hi,
So I’m 19 years old and I got caught with fraudulent receipts.
So I created fake receipts, with stolen items on them. Then these items were returned by me and someone else. It would at least be £200 worth of this. I told them I had done it because they had CCTV of everything and it was so clear I couldn’t deny it. They called the police and said that the police would come to my house or call me soon which could be any day. Maybe today, tomorrow, weeks, I don’t know.
This is the first time I would be in trouble with the police, and I go to college.
Would I be sent to prison for this or what else would happen?

[user1496147688]

I literally work 4 hours a week, with no savings so I can't afford a lawyer or anything. I just don't know what to do

[Frequency]

You'll be offered legal aid. It's unlikely you'll go to prison over £200.

[retirednow]

Where did this happen

[user1496147688]

In Primark

[notapizzaeater]

Did you steal the items as well or just 'fenced' them ?

[user1496147688]

That's where I work, well worked because I've obviously been dismissed but i'm currently suspended

[Lj8893]

You will receive free legal aid. You will have a criminal record but unlikely you will go to prison.

[YerAuntFanny]

You should do.

But you probably won't.

[user1496147688]

Yes the items were stolen by me

[youarenotkiddingme]

There will quite rightly be a consequence. I doubt it'll be prison - possibly a fine.

Are you employed by primark too? You will lose your job at the very least.

[user1496147688]

Yeah I work there, so that's how I created the receipts

[youarenotkiddingme]

Sorry x posts.

If your suspended I expect you'll lose your job. Unless primark are extremely generous employers and will let you work it off accepting you know how utterly stupid you've been.

[LIZS]

So you shoplifted then tried to return the items? If you admit it and Primark don't press charges you may even avoid court and get cautioned.

[user1496147688]

Yeah I don't mind losing the job because I have now lost their trust. I'm just worried about going to prison or a criminal record because I'm still in college

[LIZS]

Oh posts crossed , you are an employee. Presumably you will be dismissed for misconduct and have no reference.

[user1496147688]

Yep I stole them and then returned them but got someone else to do it. However once or twice it was me and they've got CCTV of me doing it and someone else doing it.
They called the police and said that they will come to my house eventually

[notapizzaeater]

They will prosecute to stop other people doing it in the future. You will get a police record - this could affect your career. What did you want to do when you left college ?

[Allaboutthatcake]

Well that was stupid.

[YerAuntFanny]

What made you risk your job, reputation and possible criminal record in the first place?

You've not only lost this job but I know as a future employer I wouldn't be taking on someone who had stolen from a previous workplace in such a calculated way so whether you go to prison or not you've most likely fucked up your prospects of work requiring any responsibility.

[user1496147688]

Well I'm studying business so something related to that.
I don't know why i done it, just for money I guess

[Andrewofgg]

You will be dismissed and probably prosecuted. You may get some unpaid work, or you may just be fined within your limited means. You will have a record and if you are planning to go into any profession, think again.

[GreenTulips]

Well you won't likely get any future position that involves trust or money

I take it you're bright? You knew the risks and did it anyway.

[user764329056]

Don’t panic, you know you’ve done wrong, honestly this won’t result in a prison sentence, I know it must feel huge at the moment but it’s a relatively low level crime, don’t let it eat you up

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

You won't go to prison but you will have a criminal record and a fine

[expatinscotland]

You probably won't go to prison, but if they press charges, you may end up with a record.