In a bizarre turn of events, a thief who stole a bird bath from a pensioner has left her an apology note. The incident, which took place in Newcastle last month, is being investigated by Northumbria Police.
The robber, who currently remains anonymous, was evidently struck by a pang of guilt after he stole the large stone bird bath from the innocent 82-year-old woman, because he proceeded to leave a note apologising for his actions.
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Jotted down on a piece of cardboard, the letter read:
'I am so very sorry. I wouldn't in a million years have done this but I had to.
'It is my mother's birthday and I am in a very bad place. I can't afford a birthday present and she doesn't know how bad it is.
'With deep regrets, sorry. This is all I can think of I am so very sorry. When I can afford it I will replace it.'
But for the victim of the crime, a letter to say sorry is not enough to make up for the loss of her sentimental garden feature, which was given to her as a gift by her now-late husband. She is so distressed by the incident, in fact, that she has penned an open letter in return, in the hopes that the thief's conscience will get the better of him and that he will return the bird bath.
In her letter, she wrote:
'I loved watching the antics of the birds in my bird bath and the birds are missing it too. Yesterday a pair of collared doves who are daily visitors just sat on the fence facing the empty spot for over an hour.
'I can understand that this man's appreciation of his mother makes him feel it is so important to give her a birthday present. What HE doesn't understand is the shock and deep disappointment she would feel if she knew that he has become a thief in his desire to please her.
'Her love for him will be strong enough that she will forgive him but her disappointment in his action will never be forgotten. If only he had admitted his helplessness to his mother, she of all people would understand and she and he and myself would all be happier people today.
'Lack of communication is the cause of so much unhappiness and it is so easily avoidable.
'I will have problems finding a replacement to match up with the existing situation since the missing bird bath was bought twenty-five years ago by my husband who is now deceased. We were married for fifty-three years. A new bird bath won't ever replace it.'
A police officer working on the case has added that the bath had been the elderly woman's 'pride and joy', before urging the offender to do the right thing and come forward.
We hope the victim is reunited with her bird bath soon.
Pictures: Northumbria Police
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