We stole a bike, what are the consequences?

[Polyphonic]

Me and my friend were at a house party, we woke up to find that my friends phone had been stolen out of her bag, so we angrily decided to steal a mountain bike from the house.

We sold it in a shop for 75 pounds, but today the family of the man who's bike we stole came to our houses and asked about the bike.
They said if we don't get it back they're going to get the police involved.

My friend and i are both 16 and from the UK.
Any idea about what we could do, or what will happen if the police are called into the equation?

And before anyone starts, yeah stealing a bike is wrong,we know, but it's done now, there's no use telling me im disgraceful or anything, I just want insight to what might happen.
Thanks.

[ZelahR]

Woah your going to jail for atleast 25 years.


...Nah, realy, here in Newzealand all you would get is a slap on the wrist. I don't know about the US. Maybe a fine and a coart date.

[belize91]

Give them the money , offer to make it right, mayby toss in a dinner and a written public apology for the newspaper, only on moron would want to take it farther. Or you could make up a story and tell them you found their drugs stuffed inside it and you don't think they will tell the cops because it would all come out they are drug users

[Hater_proof_youngsta]

ooooooooo your ****** either their gonna make your family pay a big *** fine or your goin to juvie buddy

[MseInvisible]

why not just pay back for how much the bike was or get them a new one.. with sincere apologies.. you could prob get finedd.. court...

[{M}]

re-buy the bike if its not too late to avoid the whole thing!

[belize91]

Give them the money , offer to make it right, mayby toss in a dinner and a written public apology for the newspaper, only on moron would want to take it farther. Or you could make up a story and tell them you found their drugs stuffed inside it and you don't think they will tell the cops because it would all come out they are drug users

[Lauren]

You could be charged with thief if he does chose to press charges. Then again I'm not sure, this is just what would happen in the U.S.

Just remember, tell the full story it could save you tons of trouble.

[tellthepeople]

if this is your first offense, then at WORST, you will have to pay a fine, serve some community service, and a summary offence (petty crime) will be added to your record, we call them misdemeanors in the US, but they can be contested in your magistrates' (or district's) court.

An apology, and a promise to purchase a new bike for them may soften the heart of these angry vigilantes...

Best of luck to you!

(P.S. I won't bash you for the bike, but at 16 you shouldn't be sleeping at house parties, they can be dangerous for both women and men... but i still hope the best for you. )
-Tellthepeople

[SydneyB]

use the money you got to buy a new bike