Did something stupid and now have questions - please help

[mommasue]

Hi all. About a month ago, I was incredibly stupid and left my local supermarket without paying for an item. It was in the trolley, behind my bag and I realised after I'd paid the bill that I hadn't put it on the conveyor belt. I should have handed it over, but no excuse....I didn't, and was caught. It's not that I'm short of money or anything like that. I guess I just that "oh, what the hell". Very very stupid of me, as I said ....Anyway. I was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80, then a civil recovery for £110 (which I paid immediately). I received a "ban" from using that supermarket or any others in the chain (which is a pain in the elbow as it's my local supermarket and I used it most days!). I never told my husband....too ashamed and he'd be absolutely mad as hell, and moreover, disgusted and disappointed in me, and I couldn't bear that.
Anyway, my question is....I'm applying for a Teaching Assistant position at the local school, part time, and want to know (a) will it appear on the enhanced crb check, (b) what would it state and (c) if it does, any ideas on how I explain myself to the potential employer ......

[one-big-letdown]

It depends.

Fixed penalty notices and civil recoveries don't usually appear on CRB's, but as it will be an Enhanced one due to your position, it's up to the Chief Police Officer of your local force.

If it does indeed get put on, it will more than likely come up as simply 'Fixed Penalty Notice' and 'Civil Recovery Fees' respectively. Again, it may not get put on.

And as for explaining yourself, just tell the truth and hope it cuts the ice with them.

Best of luck, and I hope I was of assistance.

[sumo19]

That's correct. An enhanced criminal records check include information about all convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, and also a chance for the chief police officer to include any other information the police hold on you. This may include information on arrests and penalty notices for disorder which you have.

As has been said, it is totally up to the chief whether to disclose this PND or not. It has to be relevant to the position being applied for. For example, someone with an arrest for drugs who wants to go and work in a hospital would have their arrest disclosed. You with a PND for shoplifting who wants to go and work as a teaching assistance is a tough one to call.

I'm not sure what it would say about the PND or how specific it would be if it was to be disclosed. It would appear under the section at the bottom under, 'any other additional information.'

At the end of the day, you have been found guilty of doing nothing, since taking receipt and paying a PND constitutes neither an official finding nor an admittance of guilt; so really you are innocent until proven guilty. The PND is treated as intelligence. You have no criminal record.

If it was to be disclosed just say that it was under your bag and you didn't see it, very upsetting etc. Be sure not to make the same mistake again any time soon because you will go to court and then that will definitely affect your career; sure you won't though; it's a sobering experience.