Shoplifting

Redblond

Im desperate for help and advice, I made a stupid mistake and took some makeup from Dunnes value €19. I don't know what the hell I was thinking, I wont make excuses I did it and it was seen on cctv, I have never done this before or been in trouble for anything.

The police were called and took a statement (they were so nice I was in tears feeling so ashamed and embarrassed) the guard said please don't be so upset this may not come to anything or just a caution. I was not arrested and allowed to leave the shop alone although I was told by security I cant come back. That was a week ago and I haven't been able to sleep or eat since, I suffer from depression and anxiety/panic attacks and Im in bits with what Ive done and what might happen. I was in such a state that I didn't get the guards name and when I called the station tonight they had nothing in the system on it and couldn't trace the incident or guard. Anyway sorry this is so long winded my question is if the police decide to let this go or caution me will that be the end of it? Can Dunnes push a prosecution if I wasn't arrested. Please no judgement I know what I did was stupid.
Thanks

newbie2

i'm no expert, but i can't imagine anything more will come from this. your name has been noted and if your caught again - you could be in trouble. but as it stands, I expect the garda think you may have learned your lesson and will not pursue it any further.
Learn you lesson though - don't go lifting anything else. And definitely don't go back to the store.

But I'm no expert. I could be wrong, but I'm around long enough to see when common sense is used.

drdeadlift

ComfortKid wrote: »

Shoplifting is a criminal offence and you should be expecting a day in court. I hope very much that you get severely punished.

There are plenty of other issues that should be taking up the courts time.

CZ 453

The usual(and I'm not saying this applies to you) is that if someone is caught shoplifting for the first time they just receive a caution at the station. Some cops will use some bit of discretion based on what they see in the person(eg. medical issues, learned their lesson, distressed state) and will leave the person off with a telling off. From what I've seen in the past, supermarkets don't ring up the cops and say 'Did you prosecute that thief yet?'.

As said above, don't shoplift again!!!

I've seen letters of apology from shoplifters to stores. Some are left back into the stores and some are not.

ForstalDave

I wouldn't worry i doubt you will hear more if its the first time and certainly an apology to the store cant hurt your case and take it as a lesson learned

Victor

Do you have someone you can discuss this with? A counselor or friend?

If you need a counselor, talking to your GP might be a good start.

Redblond

Im too ashamed to talk to anyone about it, my husband knows and is trying to be supportive but I know he is very disappointed in me too. I will go to my GP as I can feel my depression and anxiety getting out of control. Thanks to you all for taking the time to respond.

Victor

Redblond wrote: »

Im too ashamed to talk to anyone about it, my husband knows and is trying to be supportive but I know he is very disappointed in me too. I will go to my GP as I can feel my depression and anxiety getting out of control. Thanks to you all for taking the time to respond.

While shoplifting is inappropriate, it's not the end of the world. Nobody got hurt. You recognise you have done wrong. You are willing to learn from your mistake. However, you are finding it distressing. - it need not be quite so distressing. Talking it out with a counsellor might help you own your own thoughts, words and actions, instead of them owning you.

jluv

As far as I know the store will not persue it,you however will not be welcome to shop there again (understandably) but as the guards were called your name will be recorded. It won't effect you this time but if you are ever caught doing the same again you will be treated totally as a shoplifter and treated as such...take it as a get off this time..thankfully you have a good husband to advise you..

sonny.knowles

drdeadlift wrote: »

There are plenty of other issues that should be taking up the courts time.

So theft is okay...victimless crime, eh?

petes

sonny.knowles wrote: »

So theft is okay...victimless crime, eh?

Did the poster say it was okay? No, they didn't.

OP, take Victor's advice above.