Lancashire cabbie, Abubakar Lorgat, is in complete shock after a thief returned his stolen taxi savings twelves year after it was stolen.
In 2004 Mr Lorgat left his cab in Blackburn town centre at the end of his shift and jumped on a bus to Little Harwood. When he arrived home he realised his wallet that contained a weekends takings and his driver’s license had been pick-pocketed.
“I got home and found that my wallet had disappeared with my licence and the weekends taxi savings of more than £200.”
Mr Lorgat said: “I got home and found that my wallet had disappeared with my licence and the weekends taxi savings of more than £200.
“My first thought was that I had been pick-pocketed but I guess I couldn’t be sure that I hadn’t just dropped it.
“My wife Amina wasn’t very pleased as it was the housekeeping money to pay the bills and put food on the table. It caused a difficult few weeks.”
Making things Right
More than a decade on, 49 year old Mr Lorgat returned home after a long shift behind the wheel of his cab to find an envelope that contained £250 and an apology note from the robber.
The letter read: “I inadvertently stole from you approximately ten to 15 years ago.
“I enclose some money to cover what I took. I’m really sorry about this and hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“It warms your hear to hear that someone can do wrong and then years later put it right.”
The unusual act of sorrow has blown Mr Lorgat away and he hopes that others will be encouraged to follow-suit.
He commented: “I was really surprised to get the money back after all these years. It warms your hear to hear that someone can do wrong and then years later put it right. I wish more people would do the same.”
Community Boost
The news has been a boost for the community, with representatives from over the town hailing it as a rare and heart-warming act.
Abdul Hamid Qureshi, chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “This situation is so rare. What a heart-warming story.
“We don’t know why he or she did it. They may have been desperate but it was the right thing to return the money, even after all this time.”
Dean of Blackburn, Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, also commented: “This is a lovely story which confirms your faith in humanity.
“It warms ones heart to see someone who did something wrong, and who obviously had a guilty conscience, put it right.”
“They may have been desperate but it was the right thing to return the money, even after all this time.”
Paying it Forward
Inspired by the anonymous robbers’ right-doing, Mr Lorgat has decided to spend the money on others by making donations to local charities and buying some small treats for his children.
He added: “I can assure the person who took the money that it will not be wasted. I forgive him or her and it was very thoughtful of them to return it to me.
“The person must have kept my licence in the black leather wallet and then checked my address. It was lucky that I hadn’t moved house. It was a bit of a shock but my wife and I were very pleased.”