Gnome finally comes home as thief says sorry

A MYSTERY thief who stole a gnome from a garden 13 years ago has finally apologised and provided a replacement.

Denis and Doris Heard lost the gnome from their garden in Leeds in 1996 and were later teased when they received a postcard from the little chap, who was apparently in Devon.

Now the gnome-napper has given in to their conscience and left a letter of apology along with a replacement. The anonymous thief said he (or she) and a friend took the memento as a mischief night prank.

The unsigned note said: “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!”

Keen gardener Mr Heard, 78, said: “We’d just like to say ‘thank you’ to whoever it was for returning the gnome.”

Mr and Mrs Heard’s gnome went missing during a nationwide spate in the mid 1990s when many disappeared only to later bombard their owners with messages from around the world.