To steal from the church toddler group?

[DemBabies]

we're 2 days away from pay day and literally have no money. We are ok for food, nappies etc but we ran out of toilet roll today and so when I went to the church toddler group this morning I stole one from their loo I now feel really really bad about it. Not only did I steal but from the church!!

If this was my church I'd be pleased you took it. As long as it was a one-off, then your need would be greater. If you're on a low income and struggling to manage then it's not like it would break the church finances. Just pop another back come payday and no harm at all done.

donating unwanted bogof why dont they have that near me?!?!

Awesome idea as is the box of essentials. If I was part of a toddler group I would suggest this.

No one would actually notice, but for your conscience what I'd do is as others have said, replace it. I'd even leave a note, anonymous of course, it'll make the caretaker chuckle!

What would happen if you only went to the toilet at the local church instead of taking the loo roll?

Is is stealing if you only go to toilets at work instead of at home? ;-)

Loo rolls are there to be used, not paid for, so it is a bit of a grey area. A bit like taking toiletries from hotels when you haven't used them, but they are there for you to use.

As others said, though, replace it next week... and don't do it again. :-)

OP I am sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment I hope next month is a bit better.

I think those who are saying this is theft or stealing without showing any sympathy should take a good look at themselves (I agree Mrs DV that there is a difference if someone is taking toys home etc without every replacing them). Secondly, legally this may well not be theft or stealing - its a funny world where the law is more balanced and shows more common sense than some of the posters .

Pendant alert
This is not necessarily theft or stealing from a legal perspective, if the OP replaces or intends to replace the item (or an equivalent as I think loo rolls would be regarded as fungible).

The definition of theft from s1 Theft Act 1968 (my emphasis) is
"1 Basic definition of theft.E+W

(1)A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and ?thief? and ?steal? shall be construed accordingly."

So the OP has the actus reus (guilty actions) "appropriation of property belonging to another"
but arguably does not have mens rea (guilty thoughts) "dishonestly" and "intent to permenantly deprive".

For example, if you honestly believed that the owner would consent if you asked then that is a defence to dishonesty.

Intent to permanently deprive is difficult because you have used the particular toilet roll so it is not capable of return but if you intend to replace with something identical (when the item you are returning is not of a specific nature i.e. all loo rolls are roughly the same (could be seen as a fungible asset) but there is only one Mona Lisa)

When my DD was little she scribbled in a library book.
I cried for two hours desperate because it cost about £4 to replace and I didnt have it.

The librarian looked at me like i was made as I gabbled my apologies and tried to sort out a payment plan.

I have never forgotten that feeling, being that poor. I hope I dont because when you forget you become hard. A lot of people have been lucky enough never to have been that poorly off and I am pleased for them. How come some can empathise and others tell the OP (here or on other threads) to go and get a job etc?

What makes someone who knows nothing about poverty able to be understanding and others to just be so cold?

We are on a low income now but do fine (for now). We are very vulnerable but I try not to think about the future. But its nothing like it was when my DD was little. That was horrible.

Well its better than the Youth group's XBox and monitor pus all the games which got taken from our church a few months before Christmas, if you feel really bad, just take one back or buy some fruit for the snack session.

There have been some truely horrible things said to this lady who 'borrowed' the toilet role. I have often been in this position where I was short of something and had no money. However, in the past when I didn't drive, I had friends within walking distance that I could borrow off until I got to the shop. I always replaced the items. Nowardays, a lot of people don't know their neighbours so you are left without the thing you need. We can't all just go to the shop especially when you haven't the money for bus fare or money for anything else for that matter. Maybe she did miscalculate the last time she shopped, but it isn't a crime to forget to get toilet roll. I am sure she will replace it and feel it is the small minded people on here who may have never been in this position who should feel ashamed for denigrating a woman who was hard up and to embarrased to say. It is you who should go to church to confess YOUR SINS remember 'let he who is without sin, cast the first stone'. Shame on you.

jesus probably couldnt care less about a bog roll

Bloody hell there's a lot of angst on this thread.

Am I the only person who would have taken it, felt bad, promised myself I'd replace it the following week then forgotten all about it?

ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT!

Do not worry love. You did it out of neccesity.

This is a very old thread. I have only read the first and last. It was a bog roll, taken in desperation. One of our local vicars asks for boxes for a family of up to five to be able to survive for 24 hours when the money has run out. Always give a box with the following: packet of weetabix, bag of pasta, pasta sauce, T bags, tin of beans, packet of soup to make up, angel delight and two tins of fruit and a bar of choc. Vicar puts in loaf and couple of pints of milk. We do this for harvest festival nowadays. From now on will also remember to put in a bog roll.

I know this is an old thread, but as a suggestion for people who find themselves short of cash at certain points, I really recommend opening an account with www.milkandmore.co.uk You don't have to have a regular order with them, just keep your account open and when you need to, you can place an order for just a single pint of milk and it gets delivered with no charge.

They also deliver loo roll and much more (as the name suggests)