Friend caught shoplifting in Sharm el Sheikh..

williewonder

He got caught for stealing cigarettes from a shop, They are accusing him because he had over  2000 cigs of the same brand in his hotel room he stole them all. He's in police custody, He's very scared. What sentence will be imposed on hm for stealing. He's only 20. His family are very worried. He has convictions in the UK too for similar crimes.

elsien

Only 20 is an adult. Who should know better.

No one can tell you if he will be prosecuted, or convicted or what sentence there might be in the same way that we also couldn’t answer that for someone arrested in the UK.
Too many variables, and they might just decide to chuck him out.

If he hasn’t already done so he should contact the British embassy for advice. 

bagand96

elsien said:

If he hasn’t already done so he should contact the British embassy for advice. 

Good advice.  Take a look at the Gov.uk pages for Egypt which covers Getting Help Getting help - Egypt travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Being Arrested Egypt: in prison abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

williewonder

He has some learning difficulties plus ADHD so very impulsive. I believe he's in touch with the embassy but they are not doing much to help hime. His mother says he's in prison (from his phone conversations) where nobody speaks English and he's be solicited for gay sex from other inmates, He's very scared and a very young 20 year old. His mother thinks it's a good idea by going to the papers. Would this be a good idea?

El_Torro

It's safe to say that his hand won't be chopped off. Egypt isn't Saudi Arabia. 

In theory he could go to prison. Hopefully he'll just be expelled (possibly banned from coming back) from the country. That's just me speculating though. As mentioned he should contact the British Embassy, though they're not just going to bail him out. 

elsien

Any particular reason why his mother think it’s going to the British press would make the slightest bit of difference to the Egyptian justice process? 

It’s an Egyptian prison. They speak Arabic. 

If I were him, I’d be keeping my head down at the moment until his first court hearing if it hasn’t already happened when he might have more idea what’s going on. I’m presuming he’s found an Egyptian lawyer? 

Lots of people with ADHD don’t go out on a nicking spree. It’s not really an excuse. 

williewonder

elsien said:

Any particular reason why his mother think it’s going to the British press would make the slightest bit of difference to the Egyptian justice process? 

Lots of people with ADHD don’t go out on a nicking spree. It’s not really an excuse. 

She's very worried, she's thinking hopefully newspaper interests will help him. She read about the lady who had medication in her bag that she didn't declare and got a big sentence in Egypt. It was only a few years ago.

bagand96

williewonder said:

He has some learning difficulties plus ADHD so very impulsive. I believe he's in touch with the embassy but they are not doing much to help hime. His mother says he's in prison (from his phone conversations) where nobody speaks English and he's be solicited for gay sex from other inmates, He's very scared and a very young 20 year old. His mother thinks it's a good idea by going to the papers. Would this be a good idea?

I'm sure they have already but it's a good idea for friends/family to read through the Gov.uk information above.  It explains that there's only so much the Consulate/Embassy can do.  They can't just turn up and get him out.  They cannot interfere with the judicial processes in Egypt, they can only offer help and advise.

Finding a decent English speaking lawyer over there might be the best next step, but would obviously have a cost.  There is also a charity mentioned in the Gov.uk pages.

williewonder

She has not heard anything from the embassy or police in 8 days. She's very worried.

El_Torro

elsien said:

Lots of people with ADHD don’t go out on a nicking spree. It’s not really an excuse. 

Agreed that having ADHD is not particularly relevant in this situation. However it sounds like this person has kleptomania, considering that he has already been caught doing similar things in the UK. Why else would someone go to Egypt and steal 2,000 cigarettes while they're there? 

Not that kleptomania can be used as an excuse / defence either. Although we aren't all blessed with being able to control our urges. 

williewonder

bagand96 said:

williewonder said:

He has some learning difficulties plus ADHD so very impulsive. I believe he's in touch with the embassy but they are not doing much to help hime. His mother says he's in prison (from his phone conversations) where nobody speaks English and he's be solicited for gay sex from other inmates, He's very scared and a very young 20 year old. His mother thinks it's a good idea by going to the papers. Would this be a good idea?

Finding a decent English speaking lawyer over there might be the best next step, but would obviously have a cost.  There is also a charity mentioned in the Gov.uk pages.

The family has limited means.