I’ll return the files, says apologetic laptop thief

A THIEF who stole a student’s laptop contacted the victim to apologise and offered to send him any files containing his coursework.

The criminal started the message by saying he was ‘very, very sorry’ for taking the device.

‘I am extremely poor and needed the money,’ he explained. ‘I left your phone and wallet, so I hope that slightly makes up for something. I can see you are a university student. If there is any files on here such as university work on here that you need, let me know and I will send them to you here. Once again I am sorry.’

Steve Valentine, a singer from Birmingham, revealed the exchange on Twitter, saying his flatmate was

the victim of the crime. His tweet was liked 26,000 times, with many internet users expressing sympathy for the thief.

One commentator said the message ‘ kinda breaks my heart’. Another added: ‘This is the nicest thief I’ve ever seen.’

One even suggested the victim should try to find the thief and give them some money.

Others were less tolerant however: ‘I’ll hold up a petrol station and just kindly explain to them that I need the money.’

Another pointed out that despite the email being ‘sweet’ the student was now left without their laptop and could not continue their university studies.