Drug treatment patient 'apologises to theft victim'

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by Change | 11 Nov 2008

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A former drug user has written a letter of apology to a store owner, for a crime he committed seven years ago.

A patient undergoing drugs treatment sent a letter of apology to the owner of an Indian food store in Bristol, from whom he stole cigarettes in 2001, it has been revealed.

The letter attempted to make amends for stealing 400 cigarettes from Raja Foods in St Marks Road, Easton, and stated that the thief was heavily involved in drug abuse at that time.

"I regret the harm I caused you in the past and I sincerely apologise to you for it. 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," the letter read.

Enclosed with the note was £100, which the former criminal hoped would go towards paying for the stolen cigarettes.

The ex-robber wrote that part of the ongoing addiction therapy programme is to try and correct all wrongs done in the past, leading to him sending the letter and money.

Store owner Imran Ahmed said the thief's change of heart was "really good" and he would be sending the money to a drug addiction treatment charity.

This is Gloucestershire recently reported a similar case, when a jailed drug dealer was found to have allegedly made £41,840 from his crimes.

He was ordered by a judge to pay back more than £10,000 or face another year in prison.

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