Theft

[nrsepass]

My boyfriend has been charged with theft and referred from the magistrates court to the crown court. He is going to plead guilty and will be able to show that it was a single, out of character incident.He doesn't have any previous record. What kind of sentence is he likely to get?

[sara3]

what kind of value are you talking about? was anyone else involved (ie; the victim)?

why did he do it?

[sandyRoe]

He probably won't receive a custodial sentence if this is a first offence and the value of the stolen property wasn't great.

[nrsepass]

It was jewellery, worth thousands of pounds, but he didn't realise the value and sold it for very little. He stole it from his ex's parents over a year ago when he had a gambling problem. He is now going to gamblers anonymous and is on good terms with the ppl he stole from.

[mike11111]

If he has been referred to the Crown Court from the Magistrates Court then it means that the Magistrates, with their maximum powers of custody being restricted to 6 months in respect of any one offence, then they must feel that the offence is more serious than that which they are qualified to hear and deserves a higher prison sentence.

[RATTER15]

Sounds like he will be doing time!

[nrsepass]

I thought maybe as it's a first offence they might give him a suspended sentence. Does noone think that's likely?

[carmalee]

how can you have ex parents?

[sandyRoe]

His ex's parents. His in-laws?

[nrsepass]

parents of his ex-girlfriend yes

[nrsepass]

Thanks for the info guys, very scary but I'm gona try to be optimistic and hope for suspended.

[Dee Sa]

If the people he stole from who you say are now on good terms with him - if they would go to court and state that they have forgiven him it would work in his favour, but wasnt it them who told the police in the first place ? and have they mananged to have the loot returned or are they out of pocket as you state by "thousands of pounds".?