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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:
CheekyMaleekey · 31/08/2015 17:21

Support her BECAUSE she has two children? She wasn't thinking about them, was she?!

ImperialBlether · 31/08/2015 17:21

whataboutbob you said above that you shoplift occasionally. I know it's not considered the done thing on here to look at past threads (no idea why that is) but it seems from your other threads that you have plenty of money - just a look at the thread headings show you were planning a holiday in Namibia, you're building a loft extension, considering a new kitchen etc.

Can you explain why you shoplift? I think most of us here could understand someone who is desperate for money for food doing something they're really ashamed of and stealing, but you're not ashamed of it and you don't seem to be desperate either. Isn't the thought of being stopped and marched through the store with the security guy enough to stop you? Or the thought of being put in a cell? Or of going to court or being in the newspaper? Those are the things that stop most people - what makes you steal and what would stop you on other occasions?

swisscheesetony · 31/08/2015 17:26

You poor thing - what a day of temporary lunacy!

A friend's daughter recently received a 100 quid fine for driving with no license - name in paper. Who cares?

Not sure about the shoplifting - here the sherrif seems to take it more seriously than driving offences - but the only one I know of held on remand was a repeat offender who had concurrent drug issues.

You're not going to prison!

XCChamps · 31/08/2015 17:26

I agree the stuff about putting her children at risk is OTT, but I do think people should be able to tell OP they think what she's done is abhorrent and that her story doesn't quite ring true about the first time etc.

I certainly don't think being a mother entitles her to steal printer inks or drive without a licence, putting everyone else's children in danger.

ImperialBlether · 31/08/2015 17:29

whataboutbob I was wrong about the kitchen - apologies - but the rest stands.

Gingermakesmesick · 31/08/2015 17:30

Being a mother excuses nothing. Rose West was a mother.

However, some of the reactions are sanctimonious and over the top. The OP did wrong, she is going to pay for it through a fine and through a criminal record. There's no need for Mumsnet to pelt her with rotten fruit as well.

CheekyMaleekey · 31/08/2015 17:31

She's someone who hasn't passed a driving test - she was putting everyone's lives at risk. It's shockingly arrogant.

Gingermakesmesick · 31/08/2015 17:32

Everyone puts lives at risk whenever they get behind a car.

It's wrong to drive without a licence. What came over the OP I don't know but it is done now and no one died.

Saying 'but they COULD have' is silly. I could have killed someone before when I was driving but I did not. Nor did the OP.

SunshineAndShadows · 31/08/2015 17:33

So the OP actually stole 12 printer inks? Two packs of 6? But we should go easy on her cos she has kids. I don't have kids, so I guess I'd definitely not be let off the hook for stealing, but then I also don't have a printer because they're an expensive luxury - I use the local library if I need to print something.

I also wouldn't put other people's lives or property at risk whilst driving without being qualified. If that makes me a sanctimonious cow then I'll live with it. I don't for a second believe that this is a first time offence and the OP 'mistakenly' decided to steal 12 printer cartridges whilst driving illegally.

CheekyMaleekey · 31/08/2015 17:33

Not to that extent, they don't. How can anyone defend someone so selfish and stupid?

TheEmperorIsNaked · 31/08/2015 17:33

OP, if there's any justice in the world you'll get a good telling off and a fine. Nothing more.

All this talk of serious crime and stock waste/losses/overtime/whatever is frankly ridiculous. Driving without a licence and attempting to shoplift from ASDA is hardly organised crime. Some posters need to get a grip.

XCChamps · 31/08/2015 17:35

I don't think OP does sound remorseful. She's very sorry she got caught and worried about what will happen to her, not sorry for what she did.

HermioneWeasley · 31/08/2015 17:36

Ginger - are you OK with drink driving as long as nobody gets hurt? Speeding if you get away with it?

Yes, every time someone drives they have the potential to seriously hurt someone, but those chances are massively increased by not having passed your driving test - who knows how competent she is? And if she seriously injured someone, not only would she cause huge damage, but as an uninsured driver there would be no financial compensation.

You are a defending the indefensible.

specialsubject · 31/08/2015 17:36

the reason it is wrong to drive uninsured (which is what she did) is that if you DO make a mistake and kill/injure someone (or wreck something) then your victims will have no financial compensation. So if you murder a breadwinner and leave a family in dire financial states, or injure someone so badly that they need long-term care (or can't work) you destroy their financial future.

THAT is why it is such a disgusting thing to do. It is never essential to drive in the UK. It's not a cock-up, it's not a mistake, it's an 'I am above the law' attitude.

fortunately the OP didn't hit anything so no-one is in this position.

whether or not she has kids is utterly irrelevant. although if she does, hopefully they will have different attitudes.

BackforGood · 31/08/2015 17:37

Great posts by MiscellaneousAssortment

This isn't about 'kicking the op while she's down'.

I'm amazed that anyone thinks it's OK to get in a car and drive it (alone) before they have passed their test and proved they are capable. Or that anyone thinks it's OK to drive without insurance. The "What ifs" list is so long. A car can be a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. This isn't about all the minor infringements that Ginger has listed, it's about taking a decision that could have cost somebody their life. No, that's not being dramatic. People have to take responsibility for their actions (which, to be fair, the OP is) but I don't think there is any reason to be sympathetic to someone who calmly made that judgement.

Like others, I can't understand why anyone who - as the OP has stated about herself - is not suffering any health issues, mental or otherwise, can think it would be OK to steal £100 worth of goods. This just isn't a 'grey area' for me in terms of going back to a shop to pay up if they've undercharged you may technically be stealing, but is within the limits of something many people could justify to themselves.

HermioneWeasley · 31/08/2015 17:37

And I agree with XC, I think OP is sorry she got caught. And bollocks is it the first time.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 31/08/2015 17:39

Whataboutbob - when you say you shoplift 'because they can afford it', I assume you mean the shops/supermarkets?

You do know that it isn't them that pays for losses due to shoplifting (and breakage and other accidental losses - known as shrinkage)? It does not come out of their profits.

Shrinkage is paid for by a percentage on the price of every item - so it's every other shopper in that shop who pays for your stolen item. I don't shoplift and I never have - why should I pay for you to do it?

CheekyMaleekey · 31/08/2015 17:40

I don't believe it's the first time either. First time driving without a license and insurance, or shoplifting.

Glad she's been caught.

Gingermakesmesick · 31/08/2015 17:40

I think the punishment should fit the crime hermione, which it generally does.

If the OP had killed someone, the punishment would rightly be more severe. But she didn't.

LIZS · 31/08/2015 17:43

Agree with hermione and xc, I don't sense any contrition here , more self pity at the possible personal consequences. Shoplifting is often seen as a faceless crime , like fraud and insurance scams. Truth is we all end up paying for it as it is built back into margins of prices and premiums.

Playnicelyforfiveminutes · 31/08/2015 17:43

You are so missing the point.

Op just wanted to know what to expect, she doesn't want "support" nor is she wanting anyone to "condone it"

You can think what you like about what she has done, but anyone who links that to her capacity as a mother is criminally stupid.

You can be a fantastic mother while being a terrible citizen.

Saying her children should be removed shows how out of touch you are with real life!

Badders123 · 31/08/2015 17:44

This might be better posted in the legal topic....

Badders123 · 31/08/2015 17:45

Oh....Hang on....it is!
So stop with the judging. His isn't aibu!

Original poster
selboy01 · 31/08/2015 17:48

Playnicelyforfiveminutes you are 100% correct, i only asked for information. My children are in no harm so people who are commenting on this are just being ridiculous. I made a mistake and i will pay for it. I thought this site might offer some guidance, which it has from some people. so i thank you. And all who said this is not a first offence are very wrong, but you can think what you want.
I will just need to wait and see what happens and live with the consequences.

OP posts:
LineyReborn · 31/08/2015 17:48

Badders the same thing happened on this Legal board to a woman who posted about her husband going to court for driving over the limit.

She was treated quite poorly by a large number of posters who seemed to think it was an AIBU free-for-all.

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