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Original poster

Help. Arrested for shoplifting and driving without a license

192 replies

selboy01 · 31/08/2015 15:34

Im in need of some help. I stupidly shoplifted form asda, goods where over £100 and the police where called. And in the process they found out i had drove there without a license. I have never shoplifted before and the driving was a one off as im due to sit my test in couple of weeks.
I got took to the police station and was held in a cell for a couple of hours then got fingerprints took etc, they never questioned me though. They then told me my details would be sent to the procurator fiscal and that was it?
Now i have no idea what will happen next, what punishment ill get and im terrified.
I have never been in trouble before. Can anyone shed any light on what i should expect, will i need to go to court, what will happen etc.
Im a mother of 2 small kids and can not bare to think ill go to prison for me being completely stupid this one time.
many thanks

OP posts:
LIZS · 31/08/2015 16:00

Did you tell police about your dc? Were they being looked after at the time and while you were at the police station. Presumably you are in Scotland, so procedures and consequences may differ to rest of UK.

specialsubject · 31/08/2015 16:00

Scotland, I assume, as you say 'procurator fiscal'.

fortunately you didn't hit anyone or damage anyone in your uninsured car. I doubt you'll go to prison but you are looking at a fine and a lot of points on the licence that you don't have.

Cancel the test, as you are now uninsurable for the foreseeable future so there is no point.

Original poster
selboy01 · 31/08/2015 16:01

i stuck myself in and told them my car was outside to put the rest of my shopping in, and then they seen a provisional licence in my wallet. this is how they knew about the driving. I never lied, completely told the truth.

It was one of those moments where i went shopping for the weekly shop, my husband was in bed unwell so he could not take me and i needed the food shop, so i took a chance and drove myself (no local shops close by me). And while i was there i knew i needed 2 inks and at £53 each i did the bad act and took them.

I am mortified, but cant change it now.

OP posts:
InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 31/08/2015 16:01

Blimey, some of these replies! Harsh! Have none of you ever made stupid decisions??

Op, for what it's worth I'm pretty sure you won't be imprisoned for this. You know you've been stupid and you obviously regret it, the court will see this too. Try not to worry too much.

SacredHeart · 31/08/2015 16:02

I wouldn't worry about your test in a couple of weeks as you will most likely be banned from driving.

I think driving without a licence is completely deplorable and you are bloody lucky you didn't hit anyone.

Gingermakesmesick · 31/08/2015 16:03

You don't get banned from driving for driving without a licence.

Lweji · 31/08/2015 16:05

The ASDA online shopping must have very different prices to the actual shop, then.

You could have had a multipack for the cost of one of those. Or did you think you might as well take two as you were stealing them anyway?

SacredHeart · 31/08/2015 16:05

my "friend" got a 12 month ban for driving without a licence so you absolutely can.

Singsongsung · 31/08/2015 16:06

Sacred- I totally agree with you and if you don't get banned for driving without a licence or insurance then you absolutely should.

sliceofsoup · 31/08/2015 16:09

You don't get banned from driving for driving without a licence.

I see people in the paper all the time who are banned from driving as a result of driving with only a provisional. Quite laughable that these people are banned from driving when they have never even passed a test.

OP, is there something going on in your life that has made you act in such a reckless way? These are not small things. They are not minor lapses in judgement or oversights. Shoplifting £100 worth of ink cartridges is quite significant in my book. If this is out of character for you then what has led to it?

CheekyMaleekey · 31/08/2015 16:09

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Gingermakesmesick · 31/08/2015 16:11

i dare say but it isn't the foregone conclusion.

OP, Mumsnet is always very doom laden with its promises of what will happen to those who break the law.

The truth is, I don't condone for a moment what you did but I went through a phase of shoplifting as a teenager - nothing big (makeup mainly) as I didn't have any pocket money and it did give me a real thrill.

I didn't get caught - I once came very close when I dropped a blusher into my handbag and got stopped by a security guard who wanted to see inside my bag. He didn't look in the pocket where I'd dropped it but honestly, 15 years on and I can still feel the hammering my heart gave me. I haven't a clue why I did it, as if I'd asked my parents for money I'm sure they would have given it to me.

My good luck I wasn't caught, your bad luck you were.

I bet right now you don't know why you did it either, but you did and all you can do now is not do it again (I am sure you won't: I didn't) and move on.

Everybody in this land has done things they are ashamed of, that if held up under a harsh spotlight look like evidence of a Bad Person - I think! It's entirely possible that actually they are just a lot more saintly than me. I've lied, I've stolen, I've cheated, I've been mean. Don't get me wrong, I'm not proud of any of the bad things I've done (and I've done a lot of good too) but I recognise it, I own it.

It took courage to admit on here what you did and I wish you and your family well for the future.

Flowers
EngTech · 31/08/2015 16:11

Irrespective of the right or wrongs, your details are now "In the system" and on file - possibly have an impact on you when you do try to get your licence / insurance so a case of state when you apply

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 31/08/2015 16:12

Hmm name- calling is so helpful and mature cheeky

Original poster
selboy01 · 31/08/2015 16:13

you now some of your comments are vile!!! I actually asked a simple question, for help or advise and i admitted my guilt and yet most of you have had no real information or help whatsoever. You are being plain rude talking about my healthy and loved children. Which is uncalled for.
If you cant offer any decent advise then it be much better suited if you just never replied at all.
By all means give your opinions but you dont need to be nasty. People make mistakes!!!

OP posts:
InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 31/08/2015 16:13

Good post ginger

CheekyMaleekey · 31/08/2015 16:13

This reply has been deleted

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EngTech · 31/08/2015 16:14

Forgot to add - You might get points added to your licence once you do get it which will impact the insurance premium

AgentProvocateur · 31/08/2015 16:15

The PF will consider whether there's a good chance of a prosecution succeeding and whether it's in the public interest. I would say that you will definitely end up in the Sheriff Court, and if these are your first offences, may get s fine and community service. If not, harsh as it seems, you may get sentenced. Expect it to be in the local paper anyway.

ImperialBlether · 31/08/2015 16:16

Don't the printer cartridges have security tags on them? In my supermarket anything small and expensive has them.

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 31/08/2015 16:16

selboy I think you'll just have to ignore the posters who are clearly just bullies wanting to give you a kicking when you're down. Lots of people are happy to give reasonable nice advice

Original poster
selboy01 · 31/08/2015 16:17

I can live with points on license or even no license as i don't do the driving at home, only on this one occasion. And ill happily accept fines etc. As i am guilty and don't deny it. All i was hoping for was some insightful information, maybe someone had been through similar. Just no jail time i was hoping

OP posts:
XCChamps · 31/08/2015 16:17

You can get banned for driving without a licence. However, it's unlikely for a first offence, the standard is 3-6 points and up to £1000 fine. The fixed penalty for driving without insurance is 6 points and a £300 fine, although if it goes to court it can be a ban and an unlimited fine.

I'm finding it difficult to believe that a usually completely law abiding person committed two such serious crimes on the same day and got caught for their very first misdemeanour. I don't think you'll be jailed OP and hopefully you'll learn something from the community service you'll probably end up with for the shop lifting.

UnbelievableBollocks · 31/08/2015 16:18

I'm not sure how it works in Scotland, but in England it would be done in the magistrates court. For the shoplifting, you'll need to pay the cost of the cartridges, plus court costs of about £240 plus a fine determined by the court. For driving without a license or insurance I'd expect another fine and court costs, plus a 12 month ban.

This lapse of common sense will end up costing you around 1k in fines and costs, leave you not being able to take your test for at least a year, add more ££ on your insurance when you do pass as you have a conviction, and leave you with a criminal record that you'll need to declare for a number of years.

You've been very foolish and you're going to pay for it for a long time.

MadeMan · 31/08/2015 16:18

"I have to say it is very unusual for a first time shoplifter to steal £100 worth of stuff"

It always used to start with the Pick 'n' Mix in Woolworths.

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