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Leeds gnome theft mystery solved
A conscience-stricken thief has given a garden gnome to a couple – 13 years after stealing one from outside their home.
And the thief left a note of apology, saying that since taking up gardening he (or she) felt "really bad" about the theft and wanted to put matters right.
Mystified owners Denis and Doris Heard had long since given up hope of ever recovering the garden ornament stolen from outside their home in Brackenwood in 1996.
They have occupied their council semi for 40 years, bringing up three children there.
Both are keen gardeners, and Mr Heard, 78, also had an allotment until he was forced to give it up following a stroke.
They decorated their front and back gardens with garden gnomes and other ornaments.
Mr Heard said: "We've both enjoyed gardening all our lives, and we've had garden gnomes for years. My wife feeds them!
"Over the years we have lost a few. I'm not complaining or anything, but they get picked up and thrown over the hedge and break. It's just kids. You just put up with it."
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Years ago, in pride of place in the middle of the front garden was a large garden gnome with a rake. Suddenly it went missing.
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At the time there was a nationwide spate of gnome thefts by practical jokers, regularly followed by the arrival of holiday postcards sent by individual gnomes to their owners from far-flung destinations.
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The Heards received one from Devon. Then there was nothing.
The gnome was forgotten about – until a few days ago.
"We'd been to town and came back in the afternoon," said Mr Heard. "There was a parcel on the doorstep. We opened it and it was a gnome with a rake – very like the one that went missing."
Attached to it was a note which read: "About 13 years ago (!) my friend and I stupidly took one of your garden gnomes as a mischievous night prank.
"Since growing up and having a garden of my own that I cherish and care for, I feel really bad about taking something from you and your garden.
"I hope you will accept my apologies and a replacement gnome! Kind wishes."
The letter is unsigned.
Mr Heard, who spent most of his working life with Appleyards garage in Leeds, said: "We'd just like to say 'thank you' to whoever it was for returning the gnome."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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