Hi there. I received a police caution for shoplifting last month during a difficult period in my life. Needless to sat that my lesson has been well learned. I received a letter from DWF telling me that I owed £150 for security costs (£0 for recovered items etc). I think I read somewhere here before to ignore these letters. I havent paid this and received a reminder a few days ago. Can someone advise as to whether or not I should pay this company? If not, what are the reasons? Thanks in advance, folks.

Hi. I had an awful night last night but good support from family today. I have an appointment for the GP on Wednesday and thats my intention (to ask for counselling). Thanks for the concern and the support. To update, I got in touch with a solicitor and he called the police officer and made representation on my behalf explaining my circumstances. They agreed between them that I would receive a caution and that it would remain for 5 years. Its the best possible outcome and my lesson is well and truly learned. Im so thabkful for all of your advice and concern and I will get better for me and for my kids.

Thanks very much for the messages. I really really appreciate them. Just to update, I got on to a solicitor who is contacting the police officer to explain the circumstances with the hope that he uses his discretion to issue a caution only. Really have learned a horrible lesson and never want to feel like this again.

Hi there folks. Im new to this forum and in dire need of some support. Im a guy in my mid 30s. Around 10 months ago, I seperated from my partner of 11 years and 3 kids. I've been going through a hard and very emotional time and the doctor has prescribed me with anti-depressants to help me to deal with anxiety and some bad thoughts but have recently been turning a bit of a corner I feel. I spent 8 months living with some relatives and the kids were coming to stay with me. Needless to say that this was the hardest time I've ever went through in my life. I bought a house in the last few months and have been starting from scratch and have been struggling financially of late. This is not to excuse my behaviour but I'm adding it as information so that if any of you do find the time to respond that you might be able to give a more informed piece of advice. I went to Sainsburys where I live in Northern Ireland and purchased some items that I meeded for the kids' beds. I returned the day after, lifted the same items off the shelves and brought them back to customer services and got a refund for them. This is the first fraudulent action. I returned yesterday and did the same this time with a different item. Both items together came to about £50. On the dame visit i also lifted some other smaller items totalling about £35. As I left the store, the security guard ran after me and brought me into a room. They told me that they had been watching me and asked had I done this before. I was honest and told them that I had (the first occasion). I asked to just pay for the stuff but they told me that it was at the discretion of the manager. He came down and I told him my situation and offered to pay in full and he refused to accept that and phoned the police. The police arrived and took statements from the manager and the security guards and then took me to a police car where they took a statement from me. I was very upset naturally. The police then said that they would send the file off to the Public Prosecuation Service who will then decide to prosecute or give a caution. I have a completely clean criminal record and this genuinely is out of character for me. I also work with children and I am so afraid that I will lose my job because if my actions. Can anyone give any advice about what I can do now or what may happen to me? Please don't judge me on this. I feel ashamed and that I have let my family down. I appreciate all of the support you can offer. Thank you.