Exeter student's eyelash theft bill
A TEENAGE boy who took two pairs of false eyelashes worth £7.50 from a city store has ended up with a bill for almost £90.
Exeter College student Adam Hardy had taken the eyelashes from Superdrug in the Guildhall Shopping Centre for his girlfriend.
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Adam Hardy with parents Maria and Mike
His angry dad, Mike, 47, of Farm Hill, Exwick, said: “I was furious when he told me what he had done — although I was glad he hadn’t taken them for himself.
“But then this bill arrives from a firm of civil recovery specialists demanding he pay £87.50.
“It seems the bill has been sent rather than calling in the police.”
Mr Hardy senior, who is registered disabled, said: “He wasn’t very good at taking the eyelashes from the store. The security men caught him straightaway and Adam handed back the eyelashes.
“Because he didn’t make a fuss and owned up they said they wouldn’t call the police — but now this.
“This bill, which states that it was a wrongful act that caused Superdrug loss, says that the eyelashes cost £7.50 and were returned undamaged — but it goes on to charge £52.50 for staff management time investigating and/or dealing with the incident; £15.75 for administration costs and a further £19.25 for apportioned security and surveillance costs.
“It’s ludicrous. Of course he did wrong but I think he was intimidated and scared.
“There were three of them. He’s only 18 and hasn’t got any money to pay this sort of thing. He is very sorry and would happily write a letter of apology if they could drop the bill.”
Andrew McNeilly, the manager of the Guildhall Shopping Centre, said he was surprised that Mr Hardy should now be complaining.
“This sort of action saves giving a youngster a criminal record and it also saves calling the police and using their resources for the matter,” he said.
“Quite often retailers see civil recovery of costs as a more effective deterrent.
“It does depend on the security people. It would not be a course they would adopt in the case of a prolific offender or someone who was found to have taken goods of considerable value.”
He added: “Security officers will deal with them on a case-by-case basis.
“Many retailers have to employ security staff to protect their stock and you and I have to pay for that. This is a way to charge those who steal and allow retailers to defer some of those costs.”
38 Comments
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by CantBelieveIt, Exeter
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 4:03PM
“I can't believe this boy's father has to display himself in the Echo. I would be so ashamed if my children had done such a thing and I know they wouldn't because they know right from wrong. Why does he think he has an axe to grind here. Some people just have different values in life. I am fed up for paying for other people's misdemeanors”
by rebecca, exeter
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 2:28PM
“give him the record he might not complain then..... get a life and grow up. now everyone knows what you look like they can be on the look out to make sure you dont steal any eye shadow to go with them.”
by Laura, Herts
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 12:27PM
“Shouldn't have stolen them in the first place! Your own fault really... And to echo what alot of other people have said, why make this public, you are humiliating yourself and your family!”
by Anthony, Exeter
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 10:33AM
“Well, clearly not the most accomplished thief this lad and his family are also not the brightest indviduals either. Thankfully their lack of shame brings their ignorance to the public and community domane.
Having been apprehended stealing this lad should have explained to his family prior to recieving a request for costs as if they are such a suportive and understanding family they would have understood his crime was one of passion.
( lashes for girlfriend) one presumes girlfriend was smart enough to get the lad to commit the act.
Well done the Echo for printing this story with lots of pictures and perhaps we could have have many more with pictures of criminals so that the community can identify offenders.
Without the negative social stigma attched to criminalty we will continue to be plagued by this boy, his family and their ilk.”
by Anon, Exeter
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 12:00AM
“What a cheek this family have...
This guy has the audacity to go to the press and then stand there while they take a photo of his smug face with his ipod earphones sticking out the top of his jumper!
Maybe he should sell his ipod and pay the fine! Pathetic!!”
by ?, exeter
Monday, November 23 2009, 9:45PM
“You have got to be kidding me???
Oh the humiliation.
Firstly you're outted as a thief, and then, you get your Mum & Dad to fight your battles.
Why would you want to make this public. WHY? WHY? WHY?
Just pay up and keep your thieving little hands to yourself.”
by rich, exeter
Monday, November 23 2009, 7:48PM
“Not sure what the story is here...?
The student's a shop lifter simple as that.....so whats the story , he done wrong and must pay the consequences....!
What reaction we are meant to give because his dad is disabled..? not sure on that one either.
Get yourself a weekend job and pay the £87.50 any other shoplifter would have to do the same....! Live in the real world.”
by Mrs P, Okehampton
Monday, November 23 2009, 7:10PM
“What great role models this guys parents are! Granted the bill may seem large but you seem to be missing the point of what costs it is covering. The 'boy' is supposed to be an adult. Grow up and pay up! It'll make you think twice next time! Be very glad it's not a criminal record! As for 'dad' bet you must be really proud of your boy not nicking eye lashes for himself!!! Did you think before you the words came out of your mouth?!”
by tracey + phil, devon
Monday, November 23 2009, 6:56PM
“sorry i cant read these comments without putting my comment. the hardy family are a very decent family there kids have been brought up well, adam is clearly no thief it was done in joke because of his girlfriend. at the time of being caught he held his hands up gave the goods back and clearly knew he had done wrong and couldnt stop saying sorry to the gaurd in fact it happend on the 16th of october and he couldnt tell his parents he was so guilty the first they knew was when they recieved a bill of £97 and wondered what it was all about and on inquiring they found out they was not happy there still not happy about him. but the security gaurd said because he was so sorry they wouldnt call the police and he would recieve a bill of £7 to cover the cost of the goods. but what makes me laugh is civil enforcement companys put fix penalty notices on cars for people illegal parking & they complain these companys are out of order so wheres the diffrence?? i believe every body deserves a second chance so dont be judge jury and executioners untill you know full facts.”
by Marc, Exeter
Monday, November 23 2009, 6:18PM
“Sracers, are you his mate? 'Adam is such a good lad for offering those false eyelashes back'! THEY WERE NEVER HIS .
Security have to be paid regardless... now they can be paid via the civil recovery process instead of the public through price increases. Study economics at college.
"At least he had the decency to own up" - no he didn't "fess up!" he got caught!!
If the police had been called, he would have the bill doubled and a criminal record. Adam - shut up and take it like an adult, as you are one.”