The letter that I got from RLP said that if I pay in full within the time period that they set I would only have to pay 110 pounds instead of the intended 137.5. I'm not going to argue that I was in the wrong for stealing but now with this letter I'm a little confused. So should I just pay the fine and not argue? Is the intention of the letter basically to stop them from placing my information on their database?

If I just told the job centre that I lost the book then it would again be dishonest right? I just... I don't want to tell anyone that this has happened as I'm ashamed to have done it in the first place. I'm just so confused and don't really know how to handle it. I'd be too embarrassed to ring boots up and say, "Oh, I was caught stealing from you but can I have something of mine back?" How would I even start that conversation? And am I going to get a record? Would I be informed if I do and do I have to put that on every application forms from now on?

I think this is probably the best place to post this. Right, I started work last August with a company on a zero hour contract. At the interview I told them clearly that I had another job which I worked at the weekends. The other job was an 8 hours contract and I did not plan to quit that for a zero hour contract job as I planned to work both. After about two weeks of working for them. The manager again asked me to work weekends and I told her I couldn't. After which she said, "should we just forget about it?" and basically fired me. Now it's fine because I didn't really like the work environment, so I said okay. I gave them my bank details before I started work there and even tho I was dismissed I still expected about 17 hours worth of wage. I was never paid in the end. Are them allowed to do that? And is it too late to do anything about it now?

Money has been very tight since I lost my job last Sep. I have been on Job seekers allowance since. I know it's wrong but I was caught stealing today at boots and the man told me that if I told the truth they wouldn't have to call the police. I stole something worth 15 pounds and the man said that RLP will be asking for about 130 from me for civil recovery. When emptying my bags he saw my JSA sign in book, asked if I was signing on and took it off me. Can he do that? What is he going to do with it? Call and tell them? And do you think I'll get it back? As I still need to sign on. I'm very worried that this might lead to a criminal record which would be terrible as I'm trying very hard to look for a job at the moment. I have been reading around the forum and have noticed that some people have been spot fined 80 pounds by the police. So would it actually have been better to get the police involved? Would I definitely have gotten a criminal record if they were involved? Please help.