Hello,I'm a single mum of 4 children & my sis is a mum of 4 children too,we are no older then 28 & would do anything for our children,We have a house,we pay the bill,we put food on the tables & at the end of the day can't afford a simply pressent for our children & that upsets us very much for we feel like were not being good enuf mums in providing for our children,especially when your children come home from school crying because other class mates tease them because they don't have any of the latest technology or name brand items.When it came to our paydays we went shopping & on that day we got caught with unpaid items in our trolly & were talked to by the police for stealing,the items taken(bra,pencil cases,pencils,texters,crayons,2bottles) all together were all under $100,we don't have criminal backgrounds & have never done this type of thing before & now regret what we have done but we now can't change anything & can only now move forward,we are just worried about what might now happen to us,so I would appreciate some help on knowing weather we will get a fine,community service or jail time?we are very confused & scared especially when we have children,our children are our lives & we don't know what we would do if something bad came out of this,desperate help needed, please let us know what might happen.

Where are you? Laws are different form place to place, as are the consequences of breaking them.

I assume you're in the UK - I would "guess" you are in for a harsh lecture, possibly a fine, probation and very probably community service.

Do you get child support? If not, is there a reason?

I would be very apologetic in Court, explain that you were/are desperate - and think of your children before you ever do anything like this again.