Hello,
I tried to find similar threads to this thread to avoid posting the same things, but I couldn't find any.
The story happened with my girlfriend in one of the "BIG STORE" in the UK. We are both Internationals and she's been in the UK only for about a year and a half.
recently, She went shopping and bought a `bag` and `Man Eau de Toilet' from 2 different shops, then she went to the "BIG STORE" to see if there is anything interesting that she can buy.
She walked around the second floor of the "BIG STORE" looking at few things , and finally made her way out. At the Exit Door, she received a call, she picked up her phone and then put it back into the back. At that moment security guards waited until she has passed the door, they stopped her outside and accused her of putting "something in the bag". she said it was her mobile; she was told to shutup and took her to a private room. of course She was treated liek dirt, the security guards started laughing at her and searched her, not only the back but even her wallet. In the bag there was the mobile, `Man Eau de Toilet' that she bought from another store and her thin caot, she wears it if the weather gets warm instead of the heavy coat.
First, she was accused of shoplifting both, the coat and the `Man Eau de Toilet', she expained that the coat is hers and the other item was bought from another shop, they insulted her with some racist expressions. they took a picture of her and called the police.
After insiting to call me, they allowed her to make only one call and then switch off the mobile. of course the call was so shocking to me, she sounded really scared and was crying.
I came running to the "BIG STORE", some of the floor staff showed the private room, went in, they did not let me to see her before the police come.
I was talking to the security guards, explaining that this can't be true and it must've been a mistake. We are well off and highly qualified in life to do this. he kept saying that they saw her shoplifting and I ended up pushed to wait outside.
the Police arrived, they got in, they spoke to my girlfriend, and then approached me outside and informing me that she hasn't been cooperative, becaure she didn't admit what she didn't do. I was then given ONLY 2 options either to convince her to say "yes I stole", then she will be fined £80, otherwise, she would be arrested and the matter would go to the court.
I was practical and tried to convince my girlfriend to say "yes". the reason I did this is because of the state I found her in, and if she was arrested, shoud could die due to the great shock she was in.
We got out of the "BIG STORE", of course, she was very upset, she was humiliated, treated like dirt and discriminated. I aksed her to explain to me what happened inside the private room, she was talking with tears and fears, she was threaterned by security guards to go to prison before the police arrival.
I told it was simple, they could just scan the item to see whether it is theirs or not. She told me that the security guards received calls saying they are not sure.
Since then both of us are really psycologically damaged, my girlfriend is still in shock, she starts crying anytime she remembers what happens to her. Now we have the option to either pay the fine and close the case or request a court hearing. Although confident of her self that she was betrayed, she is so scared of the second option, but I am really a type of person who fights for his rights until the end.
Please advise, shall I just pay the fine and close up or shall I insist on her to request the court hearing. and if I go with the first option, will be there any consequences ?
I am left with about a week now to the payment dealine ...Please advise !!
Thank you for taking time to read this lengthy post...
Yours