Thief responds to text message

A French thief returned a briefcase he had stolen from a British businessman after receiving a text message from the victim's secretary.

Karen Davis used what she could remember of her O level French to appeal to the thief to return the items, which were stolen from John Gilmore at an exhibition in Paris.

I'm glad you got it back. PS Your French is quite good!!

French thief

Ms Davis sent a message to Mr Gilmore's mobile phone, which was inside the briefcase along with vital paperwork and a wallet containing £500.

The message read: "Dear thief, you have stolen the briefcase.You can keep the cash but I need the case back along with my passport and airline tickets."

She did not really expect a reply but to her astonishment the thief messaged her back, agreeing to her request.

The briefcase, minus the money and the phone, were deposited in a dustbin near Mr Gilmore's hotel.

Surprise

Ms Davis, who got a grade C in O level French said: "I only sent the message on the slightest off-chance they may answer but I never imagined they would.

"I just couldn't believe it."

Karen and John re-united with stolen goods

Mr Gilmore, who was re-united with his belongings shortly afterwards, said: "I called Karen to ask her to cancel the credit cards and stop the mobile phone.

"I then went for dinner at a hotel with a colleague and she rang and said she had just spoken to the thieves and I would get my briefcase back."

The businessman was very relieved as the briefcase contained vital company documents, the loss of which could have cost him thousands of pounds.

Ms Davis sent a further text message to thank the thieves for returning the briefcase, to which she received the reply: "That's okay, I'm glad you got it back. PS Your French is quite good!!"