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FAAL, Ousman

Case Reference: 42MR3364825

Case Details

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Reference

42MR3364825

Court

Staines

Magistrate

Before: Mrs Bainbridge JP , Mrs Cole JP , Mrs Dicken JP , Major Edwards JP , Mr Hassell JP , Mr Hurst JP

Hearing Date

18 May 2026

Time

10:00am

Hearing Type

Trial (Priority)

Court Type

magistrates

Prosecutor

N/A

Case Details

Offence Details: Theft from a shop. Theft from a shop. Theft from a shop. Theft from a shop.

Next Steps at this Trial

During the trial, the prosecution presents evidence and calls witnesses to prove the defendant committed the crime. The defense cross-examines the witnesses and presents its own evidence. Once all evidence is heard, the magistrates, district judge, or a jury (in the Crown Court) will decide if the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Court Jurisdiction: Magistrates' Court - Magistrates' Courts handle virtually all summary offences (minor offences) and start the proceedings for serious offences. They are presided over by three volunteer Magistrates (advised by a legal advisor) or a single qualified District Judge. They do not have a jury.

UK Offence & Sentencing Guidelines

Theft / Shoplifting

Theft is the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving them of it (Theft Act 1968). Shoplifting is a common form of theft from retail premises.

Sentencing: Triable either way. Low-value shoplifting (under £200) is prosecuted as a summary offence in the Magistrates' Court. General theft carries a maximum of 7 years imprisonment in the Crown Court, though low-level offences usually result in fines, discharges, or community service.
Disclaimer: The legal definitions and sentencing guidelines above are for general educational purposes under English Law and do not constitute formal legal representation or advice. If you are facing criminal prosecution, consult a qualified criminal defense solicitor immediately.

Case FAQs & Procedure Guide

A trial in the Magistrates' Court typically lasts from a few hours to a few days. Crown Court trials with a jury can last from several days to multiple weeks, depending on complexity and the number of witnesses.

If the verdict is not guilty (acquitted), the defendant is free to leave and cannot be prosecuted again for the same incident based on the same evidence.

If found guilty, the judge or magistrates will proceed to sentence the defendant, either immediately or at a separate sentencing hearing after a pre-sentence report is prepared.

For a single summary/either-way offence, magistrates can sentence a defendant to a maximum of 6 months in prison (or up to 12 months for multiple either-way offences), alongside unlimited fines and community orders.

Magistrates are trained volunteers from the local community who sit in panels of three. A District Judge is a qualified legal professional who sits alone. Both have the same sentencing powers.

Theft is the dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving them of it (Theft Act 1968). Shoplifting is a common form of theft from retail premises.

Triable either way. Low-value shoplifting (under £200) is prosecuted as a summary offence in the Magistrates' Court. General theft carries a maximum of 7 years imprisonment in the Crown Court, though low-level offences usually result in fines, discharges, or community service.

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