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Original poster

Will I go to prison

39 replies

user1496147688 · 28/01/2018 10:00

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?

OP posts:
BakedBeans47 · 29/01/2018 13:46

If Primark try and have an 'interview' with you, claim you're pregnancy and unable to attend due to pregnancy related illness. They'll most likely drop it there and then

For gods sake don’t do this

daisychain01 · 29/01/2018 14:51

OMG, don't add a lie to another lie!

StopPOP · 29/01/2018 21:51

Dreadful advice ref claiming pregnancy Shock

OP, come completely clean and deal with the result. You can only learn from this.

greensnail · 29/01/2018 22:03

It's not the end of the world but you have to take responsibility for what you have done and learn from it. I have several friends who did silly things in their teens and early twenties and spent time in prison. All have turned it around and have decent jobs etc now in our thirties.

dreamies · 29/01/2018 22:21

I doubt you will go to prison. The charge might be 'theft by employee'. Possibly a conditional caution and fine. Once you have met the conditions it gets dropped from records I think.
I know someone who did something similar and that's what they got and it's never stopped them getting jobs.

Reddlion · 30/01/2018 02:20

I have had a lot of dealings with police and courts and I can tell you now it is extremely unlikely you will go prison.
the police most likely will invite you in for an interview (so not arrest you and you won't go in the cells) and then you will be given a caution or if you are charged and it goes to court you will be given community service
it's a first offence and it isn't anything serious
things like this can always be traced especially in your name or your work place you made a mistake I get it you're young but think things through next time.

Reddlion · 30/01/2018 02:23

daisychain01
agree, seems everyone is Mary Magdalene on here (rolls eyes)

whitecremeegg · 31/01/2018 08:49

for a first time offence, I doubt you'd get jail, probably community service like others have said but you will really struggle now to gain employment with a criminal record.

To minimise your punishment, you need to take steps NOW to change your lifestyle and show the judge you are remorceful - get yourself to the GP and arrange counselling and actually go - this will show you are taking steps. Go to citizens advice and get some financial and legal help - again this shows you are remorceful and taking steps to improve.

Vangoghsear · 31/01/2018 11:11

I'm a JP.
These are the sentencing guidelines:
www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/item/fraud/

For a fraud of £2.5k the guidelines give a range of a 'high level community order to one year in custody' if the court decides culpability is high (which is likely because of the sophistication in the planning and involving someone else). The fact that the amount is relatively small, you have admitted guilt at first opportunity, and you are young and immature may help you avoid a custodial sentence. If this goes to court it is essential that you commit no further offences in the meantime. Showing genuine remorse will be in your favour (and it is not really evident in your post). Repaying the amount to the company you defrauded would also help your position.
I would advise you to get proper legal advice, you may be entitled to legal aid.
It would also be advisable to get this post removed in case you are recognised.

Vangoghsear · 31/01/2018 11:16

If the case has been reported to the police it will be up to the CPS to decide whether to prosecute or not, and not the store. Given the evidence cited it is highly likely it will go to court.

SandyBabyToes · 31/01/2018 11:17

Vange OP stole £200, not £2500 Shock

Vangoghsear · 31/01/2018 11:29

£2.5k is the lowest amount specified in the guidelines. The court would take into account the fact that the amount is lower. Fraud is a serious offence.

JustanotherJP · 31/01/2018 13:33

Vangoghsear is correct. Like him/her I am also a JP hence the username.

I posted the sentencing guidelines on the other identical thread but everyone carries on saying “you won’t go to prison” with no basis whatsoever. I also would view it as high culpability so there is a real possibility of custody. Fraud is a serious offence.

There has been a lot of rubbish advice given by many posters on both of these threads (obviously not Vangoghsear)

The OP should definitely get legal advice.

whitecremeegg · 31/01/2018 16:53

what if the OP is a mum with a young child? is that taken into account with sentencing? what if she's a single parent?

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