Hi, I live in the UK and I have been caught stealing from my previous employer, £3586 from card returns, clothes and money from tills. I have returned the clothes, the £3586 card returns and £625 cash from the tills, however they have demanded £2000 for the cost of money they think I've taken from the tills, however they've even said this is just an estimate. I know for a fact I did not take 2 grand from the tills and have paid £625 back like I said, along with everything else. They're demanding the other £1375 back within 7 days or else they will ring back the police to unsuspend my arrest. What will happen and what should I do? I have never done anything like this before or been in trouble with the police.

Looks like the ball's in their court. They can demand you pay whatever they ask. You can either deal with them, and be done with it, or they can call the police. That's their option. You stopped having options when you decided to steal.

Looks like the ball's in their court. They can demand you pay whatever they ask. You can either deal with them, and be done with it, or they can call the police. That's their option. You stopped having options when you decided to steal.

I completely understand that but if they have no proof I stole it and its all on 'estimations' surely they will say a large sum of money because of what I've done? I know for a fact I didn't take £2000 out the till

I completely understand that but if they have no proof I stole it and its all on 'estimations' surely they will say a large sum of money because of what I've done? I know for a fact I didn't take £2000 out the till

Then let them call the police, go to court and prove that you didn't steal $2000 worth of cash.

That's a good idea, I'm just worried that will go on my records?

That's a good idea, I'm just worried that will go on my records?

It most likely will. You'll likely be prosecuted for stealing. Your employers aren't the ones that broke the law, you are. Going to court to say "I stole from my employer, I agreed to pay them back, but I want an exact accounting of what I took and what I owe" won't end badly for them. You're the only one that will pay for that, and if you go to court for it, you won't be paying only in cash.

So really, no, it's not a good idea. The better idea is to pay back the money they say you stole, and move on.

Do you not realize that this isn't a case where you owed money and they were required to keep records of what you paid, and how much you owe? You broke the law! They're not expected to make a list of exact amounts of what you stole. Nor are they required to take your word for it when you say you only stole a certain amount. Heck, they were never required to agree to let you pay back what you stole, they could have, and should have, called the cops and had you arrested as soon as they found out. They're letting you off easy. If you want to make it hard, call the cops, turn yourself in, and see what happens.

Sigh.

It most likely will. You'll likely be prosecuted for stealing. Your employers aren't the ones that broke the law, you are. Going to court to say "I stole from my employer, I agreed to pay them back, but I want an exact accounting of what I took and what I owe" won't end badly for them. You're the only one that will pay for that, and if you go to court for it, you wont' be paying only in cash.

So really, no, it's not a good idea. The better idea is to pay back the money they say you stole, and move on.

Do you not realize that this isn't a case where you owed money and they were required to keep records of what you paid, and how much you owe? You broke the law! They're not expected to make a list of exact amounts of what you stole. Nor are they required to take your word for it when you say you only stole a certain amount. Heck, they were never required to agree to let you pay back what you stole, they could have, and should have, called the cops and had you arrested as soon as they found out. They're letting you off easy. If you want to make it hard, call the cops, turn yourself in, and see what happens.

Sigh.

Well yes I know I took the money and yes they did phone the police, I've paid back all the money owned and even the police said I'd done that. And I don't appreciate the way you're speaking to me, I understand I did wrong and I've paid for that, they said if I paid back the money owed that was it, but now they're sending personal threathening and harassing letter saying they'll tell my family, make sure I don't get a job or anything anywhere else, screw up all my references. It was an act of desperation which I'm sincerely sorry for!

They can show money missing over the entire time you were there, if they go to court, and prove your stole anything, you will have a criminal record, lots of fines, attorney costs.

Sounds like 1300 is a cheap way to get out of this.

They can show money missing over the entire time you were there, if they go to court, and prove your stole anything, you will have a criminal record, lots of fines, attorney costs.

Sounds like 1300 is a cheap way to get out of this.

But I've admitted to everything I did take, I've been completely honest and they have no evidence, so what does that mean?

Well yes I know I took the money and yes they did phone the police, I've paid back all the money owned and even the police said I'd done that. And I don't appreciate the way you're speaking to me, I understand I did wrong and I've paid for that, they said if I paid back the money owed that was it, but now they're sending personal threathening and harrassing letter saying they'll tell my family, make sure I don't get a job or anything anywhere else, screw up all my references. It was an act of desperation which I'm sincerely sorry for!

Being sorry really doesn't matter. You chose to break the law, and you have to pay for that. Frankly, if they're asking for more than what you took, I think they should get it. Why should you only have to pay back what you took and avoid jail? You should have to pay back more than what you took, that's a lesson you will likely never forget.

So you don't like how I'm speaking to you? Suck it up.

Call the cops that told you that you don't have to pay back any more (what sort of court system do you have in the UK where the cops are the ones that decide how much a criminal has to pay back to the person he/she stole from?) But really, talk to those cops, tell them your former employer wants more, and see what happens. If you end up in jail, or end up in court, maybe that will be what it takes to show you that what you did is wrong, because right now I don't think you get that. You're acting as if you and the person you stole from had a contract to pay back a loan. That's not it at all!

Right now you're sounding ridiculous. You're upset because the people you stole from are asking for what you think is more than what you took? Well, do you have receipts showing how much you stole? Of course you don't! Why? Because you stole!

Pay the $1300 and learn from this. They're being very nice letting you get off this easy. In my part of the country, if you had stolen what you did, you'd be in jail.

Being sorry really doesn't matter. You chose to break the law, and you have to pay for that. Frankly, if they're asking for more than what you took, I think they should get it. Why should you only have to pay back what you took and avoid jail? You should have to pay back more than what you took, that's a lesson you will likely never forget.

So you don't like how I'm speaking to you? Suck it up.

Call the cops that told you that you don't have to pay back any more (what sort of court system do you have in the UK where the cops are the ones that decide how much a criminal has to pay back to the person he/she stole from?) But really, talk to those cops, tell them your former employer wants more, and see what happens. If you end up in jail, or end up in court, maybe that will be what it takes to show you that what you did is wrong, because right now I don't think you get that. You're acting as if you and the person you stole from had a contract to pay back a loan. That's not it at all!.

Right now you're sounding ridiculous. You're upset because the people you stole from are asking for what you think is more than what you took? Well, do you have receipts showing how much you stole? Of course you don't! Why? Because you stole!

Pay the $1300 and learn from this. They're being very nice letting you get off this easy. In my part of the country, if you had stolen what you did, you'd be in jail.

I'm sounding ridiculous? Really? You have no idea about my background and I completely understand I've done wrong and should be punished for it but by your replies, well I personally don't appreciate them. Like I said I know I've done wrong, they've phones the police and got it sorted and all of a sudden they're asking for £1400 more?
I will talk to the police, not cops, so cheers for that, I'll get it sorted don't worry, because honestly you haven't been of an awful lot of help. But thanks anyway.

I'm sounding ridiculous?! Really?! You have no idea about my background and I completely understand I've done wrong and should be punished for it but by your replies, well I personally don't appreciate them. Like I said I know I've done wrong, they've phones the police and got it sorted and all of a sudden they're asking for £1400 more?!
I will talk to the police, not cops, so cheers for that, I'll get it sorted don't worry, because honestly you haven't been of an awful lot of help. But thanks anyways.

Cheers for what, calling them cops? Don't assume everyone lives in the UK. I don't.

As for not being helpful, I gave you your options, and I told you the consequences of every one. You're the one that has to choose which option to take, and then suffer the consequences of that option. No one can tell you what to do, we can only give you advice. Like it or lump it.

I realize you're upset because you don't like being thought of as a criminal, and I pointed out that you are one. Well, there's an easy cure for that, and that's not to break the law. Just fyi.

Good luck. :)

Being sorry really doesn't matter. You chose to break the law, and you have to pay for that. Frankly, if they're asking for more than what you took, I think they should get it. Why should you only have to pay back what you took and avoid jail? You should have to pay back more than what you took, that's a lesson you will likely never forget.

So you don't like how I'm speaking to you? Suck it up.

Call the cops that told you that you don't have to pay back any more (what sort of court system do you have in the UK where the cops are the ones that decide how much a criminal has to pay back to the person he/she stole from?) But really, talk to those cops, tell them your former employer wants more, and see what happens. If you end up in jail, or end up in court, maybe that will be what it takes to show you that what you did is wrong, because right now I don't think you get that. You're acting as if you and the person you stole from had a contract to pay back a loan. That's not it at all!.

Right now you're sounding ridiculous. You're upset because the people you stole from are asking for what you think is more than what you took? Well, do you have receipts showing how much you stole? Of course you don't! Why? Because you stole!

Pay the $1300 and learn from this. They're being very nice letting you get off this easy. In my part of the country, if you had stolen what you did, you'd be in jail.

And like I've said I understand that, but again you don't personally know my situation. So you think they should get it amd rob me of money yeah? Even though they've squeezed every penny out of me, even money they're not owed. So no, I won't suck it up thanks very much. And no, I do get it, I'm not stupid. To be honest, I'd just want them to be honest, no or yes to we won't phone the police, I've piad what they're owed and more actually ansd that's it.

You said

I did wrong and I've paid for that
How have you paid? Do you think giving back what you stole is punishment?

now they're sending personal threathening and harassing letter saying they'll tell my family, make sure I don't get a job or anything anywhere else, screw up all my references.

Why shouldn't they. You are a thief. Why shouldn't they tell everyone so everyone else will know you are a thief and not to be trusted.


I have never done anything like this before

This wasn't one act, one mistake. You repeatedly stole over a period. You only stopped because you got caught.


It was an act of desperation

You stole clothes, were you naked?


I'd just want them to be honest,

Were you honest with them?

You are now a thief, live with that the rest of your life. Perhaps that will be your greatest punishment.

You said

How have you paid? Do you think giving back what you stole is punishment?


Why shouldn't they. You are a thief. Why shouldn't they tell everyone so everyone else will know you are a thief and not to be trusted.



This wasn't one act, one mistake. You repeatedly stole over a period of time. You only stopped because you got caught.



You stole clothes, were you naked?



Were you honest with them?

You are now a thief, live with that the rest of your life. Perhaps that will be your greatest punishment.

You know what, please don't reply as I find you very unhelpful. Be assed arguing with someone like you. Goodbye.

I'm not stupid
I disagree.

Still a thief.

You do not get to say who answers your questions on this site.
1. You chose to steal
2. You stole from your boss over a period
3. You got caught
4. You don't want to pay what they say you owe to avoid a criminal record that will follow you the rest of your life.
5. You also don't want to pay to avoid prosecution
6. You feel that you are being picked on by your old boss.
Please explain why you don't deserve to have a criminal record? Why every boss should not know about your morals and values? Why you should be trusted by anyone?

Sigh how would you feel if roles were reversed?

You do not get to say who answers your questions on this site.
1. You chose to steal
2. You stole from your boss over a period of time
3. You got caught
4. You don't want to pay what they say you owe to avoid a criminal record that will follow you the rest of your life.
5. You also don't want to pay to avoid prosecution
6. You feel that you are being picked on by your old boss.
Please explain why you don't deserve to have a criminal record? Why every boss should not know about your morals and values? Why you should be trusted by anyone?

Sigh how would you feel if roles were reversed?

I'm not saying I'm being picked on, I deserve everything I get, I was stupid and naïve, I admit that, I have also admitted everything I have done. I just don't appreciate the way I'm being spoken to when all I want Is some advice and answers.

You got it, you just don't like it.

You got it, you just don't like it.

I don't like what?

The advice you have received.

I think you should just do nothing so the police can arrest you. It should be on your record and you should have trouble in the future getting a job. You are a criminal.