Worrall Thompson 'I need help'

[Lizard]

It;s a civil offence Rodders, the police rarely prosecute shoplifters.

[steve56]

Is it me or are there more Tescos than ever they seem to be evreywhere now Maida Vale,Hamstead,St Johns Wood,2 near me too

[max_tranmere]

The reason for the huge expansion of Tesco's was because they bought out Europa, Hearts and Cullens stores. Those chains had their shops, medium sized supermarkets, in the areas you mention - and in other dense urban areas - and Tesco's bought out Europa's shops (about 50 of them), and Hearts and Cullens (who had about 10 shops each) around 2004. They then opened Tesco stores on the sites.

[Lizard]

How wierd, He steals ?80 worth of cheese and wine, and he needs help, presumably because he got caught and therefore is a crap shoplifter. Several politicians steal funds they were not entitled to, and they didn't need help, they were good at it. Maybe the government could set up a training scheme for shoplifting.

[RoddersUK]

OK,so theft is a civil offence now is it?
Tescos should prosecute him then.

[RoddersUK]

The big 4 are competing to see who can swamp town centres with their shops, especially in bedsit land. There are so many along the main east west road in Hove and Brighton, Church rd leading to Western rd, that residents in the side streets need hardly walk 200 yards to one of these outlets. The ordinary shop has now turned into 8 til late and kebab houses. Every fucker and their brother is trying to get as much as they can and they couldn't care less if they swamp the area. To them it is "business"

[JamesW]

Lizard: "It;s a civil offence Rodders"


No, theft is a crime.

In deciding to issue a caution rather than prosecute the police would have taken the following matters into account:

a) value of the stolen goods - said to have been very low in this case.
b) previous cautions/convictions - said to have been none in this case.
c) confession to the offence - said to have been immediate in the case.
d) whether it was in the public interest to prosecute - given that the police briefed the media on Worrall Thompson's caution they may have thought that the public shame for a 'celebrity' was already a significant punishment.

This post is not a defence of the police decision, but is merely meant to explain how the police are likely to have reached that decision.

[Gusset Sniffer]

He took it because he got away with it. He started by stealing the odd news paper. He got away with it and took it further. That's what all thieves do.

[David Johnson]

he would be wise to tread more Caerphilly.

[andy at handiwork]

Had it been you I bet cheddar wanted no publicity.