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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Thief sent 'sorry' letter to shop | Thief sent 'sorry' letter to shop |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The owner of an Indian food store in Bristol has received a apology letter and £100 from a former drug addict who stole cigarettes from the shop in 2001. | The owner of an Indian food store in Bristol has received a apology letter and £100 from a former drug addict who stole cigarettes from the shop in 2001. |
| Imran Ahmed, 27, who runs Raja Foods in St Marks Road, Easton, said he was stunned to open the remorseful letter. | Imran Ahmed, 27, who runs Raja Foods in St Marks Road, Easton, said he was stunned to open the remorseful letter. |
| It begins: "Dear Sirs, I am writing this letter to make amends to you for something I have done in the past." | It begins: "Dear Sirs, I am writing this letter to make amends to you for something I have done in the past." |
| Mr Ahmed said the thief's change of heart was "really good" and he intends to give the money to a drugs' charity. | |
| The thief's letter continues: "About seven years ago I was walking past your shop late one night when I noticed that someone had broken into it. | The thief's letter continues: "About seven years ago I was walking past your shop late one night when I noticed that someone had broken into it. |
| Make amends | |
| "I used this opportunity to enter your shop where I stole 400 cigarettes. The money enclosed (£100) is to pay for those cigarettes which I stole from you. | "I used this opportunity to enter your shop where I stole 400 cigarettes. The money enclosed (£100) is to pay for those cigarettes which I stole from you. |
| "At that time I was heavily using drugs and my life was in a mess, now I no longer use drugs and I strive to lead a decent and honest life. | "At that time I was heavily using drugs and my life was in a mess, now I no longer use drugs and I strive to lead a decent and honest life. |
| "As part of my ongoing recovery I try to put right all of the wrongs I have done in the past, at least where I can, and this is why I am giving you back the money which I stole from you. | "As part of my ongoing recovery I try to put right all of the wrongs I have done in the past, at least where I can, and this is why I am giving you back the money which I stole from you. |
| "I regret the harm I caused you in the past and I sincerely apologise to you for it. | "I regret the harm I caused you in the past and I sincerely apologise to you for it. |
| "I was very wrong to do this and I hope that returning the money will make up for this harm, at least in some small way." | "I was very wrong to do this and I hope that returning the money will make up for this harm, at least in some small way." |