NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7717336.stm

The owner of an Indian food store in Bristol has received an 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.

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.

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.

"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.

"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."


Well isn't this nice? He's turning his life around and had the decency to actually pay back the shopkeeper. What do you think?

I think it's lovely. Would have been nicer if he had never done it in the first place but we can't have everything can we? I think the important thing is that he is owning up to his mistakes and trying to make it right!

Yay redemption.

Well isn't this nice? He's turning his life around and had the decency to actually pay back the shopkeeper. What do you think?
Good for him!

Does this £100 account for inflation?

About seven years ago I was walking past your shop late one night when I noticed that someone had broken into it.
Suuuuuurrrrreeee . . .:rolleyes:

at least when he says he lives an honest life now he didn't say he found Jesus, that would have been too much to handle

The thief wouldn't happen to be called Earl Hickey, would he?

The thief wouldn't happen to be called Earl Hickey, would he?
:D

That'd be cool!

Does this £100 account for inflation?
That'd be a bit mean :P

"Aye I got your letter, but it should really be £114 nowadays, I'm sending yer address to the police you horrible bastard"
":("

Thats amazing.. few people can turn thier lives around like that, or be so honest.

"Aye I got your letter, but it should really be £114 nowadays, I'm sending yer address to the police you horrible bastard"
":("

I was about to go to the toilet as I read that, and you hurried it along a little.

Heh, it's one of the better bits of news to come out of Bristol for a while.

Heh, it's one of the better bits of news to come out of Bristol for a while.

Indeed. My mood after reading this got brought back down after hearing a jogger got raped on the downs.

Indeed. My mood after reading this got brought back down after hearing a jogger got raped on the downs.
Gah.

I suppose it's a big city, so there are bound to be all sorts of things happening.

My Cornish housemate just read this story and commented that "at least you're all not horrible in Bristol". Although that does come from a year of poking fun at each others' respective birthplaces.

My Cornish housemate just read this story and commented that "at least you're all not horrible in Bristol". Although that does come from a year of poking fun at each others' respective birthplaces.

At least the Bristol accent is vaguely understandable. Cornish accents sound like oirmoirothogunasf etc etc. Plus they're like the Welsh, but with even more fail.

At least the Bristol accent is vaguely understandable. Cornish accents sound like oirmoirothogunasf etc etc. Plus they're like the Welsh, but with even more fail.
:D

For some reason, that never occured to me. I'm SO going to have to use that next time he does a dig at Bristol.

Does this £100 account for inflation?
Seeing as 20 packs of cigs don't even cost $100, much less £100, it well overaccounts for even lost reinvestment.

Actually, with the price of cigarettes nowadays it is £100 or so.

Sounds like an AA member. maybe NA. I think 7th step.

Sounds like an AA member. maybe NA. I think 7th step.
Nonetheless, it's a nice thing to read, even if it probably is just a human interest story.

Nonetheless, it's a nice thing to read, even if it probably is just a human interest story.

well i think AA is a good program. while they believe in a higher power, its not Jesus god this Jesus god that.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7717336.stm




Well isn't this nice? He's turning his life around and had the decency to actually pay back the shopkeeper. What do you think?
An important part of many "12 step" programs is, I believe, to make peace with your past and the others you've hurt -- which also helps you get past it yourself.

I think it's a good thing -- and the positive response to this action is for the shop keeper to help others. All in all, a plus for society.