Prosecuted for stealing coffee mug from coffee shop, what to expect?

Ambitious1999

Hi
During the Easter holidays our friend/ colleague was working as an activities leader for a language school.
We went to a popular high street coffee shop and our colleague slipped his cup into his bag as a souvenir.
Half way down the street he was stopped by two security men and told to return to the coffee shop. Presumably they found the cup and held him there until 'The Police' came and carted him off to the police station. He missed the coach back home as a result. Later he was fired from his activity leader job for bringing the school into disrepute.

He has been given a court summons date and bailed to appear then but that clashes with his course assessments at uni :frown:

He lawyer has said he may get a prison sentence as local magistrates are cracking down on theft and shoplifting.

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug? What can he expect in court?

What other implications could this have such as expulsion from Uni, not allowed to work with miners, not allowed travel to the US?

Also what is prison like for petty offenders?

Reply 1

BiologyA2Student

Original post by Ambitious1999

Hi
During the Easter holidays our friend/ colleague was working as an activities leader for a language school.
We went to a popular high street coffee shop and our colleague slipped his cup into his bag as a souvenir.
Half way down the street he was stopped by two security men and told to return to the coffee shop. Presumably they found the cup and held him there until 'The Police' came and carted him off to the police station. He missed the coach back home as a result. Later he was fired from his activity leader job for bringing the school into disrepute.

He has been given a court summons date and bailed to appear then but that clashes with his course assessments at uni :frown:

He lawyer has said he may get a prison sentence as local magistrates are cracking down on theft and shoplifting.

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug? What can he expect in court?

What other implications could this have such as expulsion from Uni, not allowed to work with miners, not allowed travel to the US?

Also what is prison like for petty offenders?

Shouldn't have stealing a mug in the first place

Reply 2

ODES_PDES

18

Original post by Ambitious1999

Hi
During the Easter holidays our friend/ colleague was working as an activities leader for a language school.
We went to a popular high street coffee shop and our colleague slipped his cup into his bag as a souvenir.
Half way down the street he was stopped by two security men and told to return to the coffee shop. Presumably they found the cup and held him there until 'The Police' came and carted him off to the police station. He missed the coach back home as a result. Later he was fired from his activity leader job for bringing the school into disrepute.

He has been given a court summons date and bailed to appear then but that clashes with his course assessments at uni :frown:

He lawyer has said he may get a prison sentence as local magistrates are cracking down on theft and shoplifting.

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug? What can he expect in court?

What other implications could this have such as expulsion from Uni, not allowed to work with miners, not allowed travel to the US?

Also what is prison like for petty offenders?

A small fine is what to expect

Reply 3

username2176541

17

I'd love to see his mugshot.

Reply 4

Sayed0123

11

The punishment for stealing is the death penalty plus five thousand lashes, as far as I know.

Reply 5

Zaydy3

11

Original post by Xenon17

I'd love to see his mugshot.

Reply 6

Ambitious1999

OP

20

Original post by ODES_PDES

A small fine is what to expect

He was never offered the chance to pay a fixed penalty to avoid court but his lawyer said city magistrates were cracking down of theft by having more court summons instead of fixed penalties but I do think that was unfair now he will certainly get a criminal record and not be allowed to work with miners so teaching is out as a career option.

Reply 7

581371

17

Tell him not to drop the soap

(Or do, depending on preference)

Reply 8

Vicky628

13

Original post by Ambitious1999

He was never offered the chance to pay a fixed penalty to avoid court but his lawyer said city magistrates were cracking down of theft by having more court summons instead of fixed penalties but I do think that was unfair now he will certainly get a criminal record and not be allowed to work with miners so teaching is out as a career option.

Your (sorry, his) only chance is to find a related career that doesn't involve vulnerable people (or minors)

Reply 9

Ambitious1999

OP

20

I think he could claim unfair dismissal from the language school as he missed the coach due to not been given the option of paying an on the spot fine so 'The Police' weren't following correct procedure.

Reply 10

TimmonaPortella

21

Original post by Ambitious1999

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug?

For a start, he'd be well advised to show some contrition and not come out with anything like 'oh, but I only stole a used coffee mug'.

Original post by Ambitious1999

I do think that was unfair now he will certainly get a criminal record and not be allowed to work with miners so teaching is out as a career option.

Goodness, how unfair it is that this guy is getting a criminal record for having done something criminal.

Reply 11

thefatone

6

Original post by Ambitious1999

Hi
During the Easter holidays our friend/ colleague was working as an activities leader for a language school.
We went to a popular high street coffee shop and our colleague slipped his cup into his bag as a souvenir.
Half way down the street he was stopped by two security men and told to return to the coffee shop. Presumably they found the cup and held him there until 'The Police' came and carted him off to the police station. He missed the coach back home as a result. Later he was fired from his activity leader job for bringing the school into disrepute.

He has been given a court summons date and bailed to appear then but that clashes with his course assessments at uni :frown:

He lawyer has said he may get a prison sentence as local magistrates are cracking down on theft and shoplifting.

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug? What can he expect in court?

What other implications could this have such as expulsion from Uni, not allowed to work with miners, not allowed travel to the US?

Also what is prison like for petty offenders?

He really was ambitious wasn't he?

Reply 12

toronto353

19

Original post by Ambitious1999

Hi
During the Easter holidays our friend/ colleague was working as an activities leader for a language school.
We went to a popular high street coffee shop and our colleague slipped his cup into his bag as a souvenir.
Half way down the street he was stopped by two security men and told to return to the coffee shop. Presumably they found the cup and held him there until 'The Police' came and carted him off to the police station. He missed the coach back home as a result. Later he was fired from his activity leader job for bringing the school into disrepute.

He has been given a court summons date and bailed to appear then but that clashes with his course assessments at uni :frown:

He lawyer has said he may get a prison sentence as local magistrates are cracking down on theft and shoplifting.

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug? What can he expect in court?

What other implications could this have such as expulsion from Uni, not allowed to work with miners, not allowed travel to the US?

Also what is prison like for petty offenders?

When did these guys get so fussy about who they work with?

Reply 13

Ambitious1999

OP

20

Original post by TimmonaPortella

For a start, he'd be well advised to show some contrition and not come out with anything like 'oh, but I only stole a used coffee mug'.

Goodness, how unfair it is that this guy is getting a criminal record for having done something criminal.

But it's not like he is a danger to miners because he stole a coffee mug, it's not like he's a sex offender or anything but apparently any job that involves work with kids requires a full CRB check and with a record he will be forbidden such jobs. Even working with the scouts. Apparently you can't even get a visa to the US with a criminal record.

Secondly had he got an on the spot fine which is normal procedure for shoplifting, he would have avoided court and a record. Now his life is ruined.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 14

jamestg

21

You're such a mug :wink:

Reply 15

toronto353

19

Original post by jamestg

You're such a mug :wink:

Nice

Reply 16

insert-username

14

Ah, the old Just asking on behalf of my friend act.

Tell your "friend" that you can't just go around stealing things and calling them souvenirs.

It's unlikely he's going to be banned from working with minors, or not allowed to fly to the US. It's just shoplifting not armed robbery. Your friend is just going to have to wait and see where the cookie crumbles.

Reply 17

TimmonaPortella

21

Original post by Ambitious1999

But it's not like he is a danger to miners because he stole a coffee mug, it's not like he's a sex offender or anything but apparently any job that involves work with kids requires a full CRB check and with a record he will be forbidden such jobs. Even working with the scouts. Apparently you can't even get a visa to the US with a criminal record.

Secondly had he got an on the spot fine which is normal procedure for shoplifting, he would have avoided court and a record. Now his life is ruined.

lol no, the minors thing does sound a little harsh.

The answer for all of it, though, is don't steal stuff. Nobody has to offer on the spot fines as alternatives to prosecution if they don't want to.

Reply 18

999tigger

19

Original post by Ambitious1999

Hi

He has been given a court summons date and bailed to appear then but that clashes with his course assessments at uni :frown:

He lawyer has said he may get a prison sentence as local magistrates are cracking down on theft and shoplifting.

Could he get a jail sentence just for stealing a used coffee mug? What can he expect in court?

What other implications could this have such as expulsion from Uni, not allowed to work with miners, not allowed travel to the US?

Also what is prison like for petty offenders?

He should ask for a different court date or an adjournment so he can sit his exams.

Listen to his lawyer but imo if its a first offence then I would be surprised if they gave him a prison sentence. I dont see it as happening and it might be just to cover your solicitors back and he looks better if he gets less.

Yes he could get expelled from Uni, but it depends, presumably they already know about it. I cnat see them expelling him just for this, but I wouldnt rule it out..

If he gets convicted then he has a criminal record and that wont work well for him on DBS checks, although its not a crime against children or violence. Its still not ideal.

Yes it could easily prevent him from going to the US.

Ideally what would happen is the magistrates would see his remorse, realise that a criminal record would ruin his career and let him off with a conditional discharge. What a stupid way to throw away your career for a fe £'s.