Sue and Kevin Ingram with their returned property

by Jamie Bullen

A drunken thief who stole a sat nav and digital radio from a van had a pang of conscience and returned the goods the following day - along with a note saying sorry and a tenner.

Husband and wife Kevin and Sue Ingram, both 54, of St John's Road, Stone, thought the items were long gone after they were taken from Mr Ingram's van. The thief even nicked the air freshener.

The sat nav is used often by Mr Ingram, who works across the country as an electrician, and the radio was a birthday present from his 25-year-old son Paul.

The couple were upset, but decided against contacting the police or claiming for the items on their insurance, and just accepted the gadgets were history.

But the following morning, Mrs Ingram discovered a note on the van's windscreen, saying the items were in a bag at the side of the house.

When she went to look, all the items were there, along with £10 and an apologetic note explaining the theft was a drunken mistake.

Mrs Ingram, who works as a school liaison officer at Hextable primary school, said: "We have had this happen to us many times over the years but never before have they been returned.

"The note said, 'Very sorry 4 taking this was very drunk £10 is for your convenience'.

"It has restored my faith in humanity. I wasn't quite sure I wanted to open the bag, which was down the side of the house. I was suspicious and thought it might go wrong. I couldn't believe it was all still there."

She suspects the culprit was a young person who may have known them because they are leaders at a Dartford Scout group.

Mr Ingram said: "I was shocked when the items were taken. I thought I wouldn't see them again but when I saw them on the side and a £10 bonus I couldn't believe it. It is very bizarre.

"I can respect the person a lot more for returning them even though they shouldn't have been taken in the first place."

Mrs Ingram said she and her husband were 'stunned and gobsmacked' that the items were recovered and they would congratulate the thief if he ever revealed himself to them.

Mrs Ingram added: "I would pat them on the back. I work with disaffected youngsters and it is quite nice to see someone say sorry when they have done wrong.

"It's good somebody can have the courage to do that."