A THIEF has returned a sign they nicked 15 years ago when they were a drunken student with the guilt-ridden swindler coughing up £100 as an apology.
The former student was hit with a guilty conscience over his drunken prank taking the sign outside the Exotica Food store.
And the shame-faced sneak thief sent the apology and five £20 notes after being wracked with guilt over the 2011 prank.
In the letter, the anonymous sender confessed that 15 years ago he and another student took a temporary PVC banner hanging outside the Swansea shop after a night on the town.
The note reads: “Some 15 years ago as a student, following a night of drinking, I and another came across a temporary PVC banner hanging from your shop.
“For some reason we thought it would be funny to bring this home with us.
“As an older man, I now see that what seemed funny to us at the time likely caused your shop some inconvenience.
“I would like to offer my apology and hope you will accept this compensation.”
The envelope also contained five £20 notes, totalling £100.
The apology was signed simply: “A former foolish student.”
The international food store, located on St Helen’s Road, Swansea, shared the note on social media after it was delivered to the shop.
Shop owner Imran Ashraf shared the story online, joking about the long-delayed confession.
“This has made my morning; thank you to whoever you are,” he wrote.
His message attracted dozens of comments from locals praising the gesture.
Many said it showed that “it’s never too late to do the right thing.”
One commenter wrote: “Better late than never; well done!”
Another added: “We’ve all done stupid things when we were younger. Fair play to him for making it right.”
And one joked: “That must have been one hell of a guilt trip.”
