Thief steals a laptop, sends the owner an Email.

Mystery laptop thief sends bizarre email apology - and makes surprising offer:

When one of your valuable belongings is stolen, it's understandable to feel totally furious at the thief.

You might hope that the culprit may have a change of heart and decide to return it, but the unfortunate reality is that it's probably gone forever.

Bizarrely, Steve Valentine from Birmingham revealed how his flatmate received an email from the thief who nicked his laptop - with an explanation.

The email subject reads:

"Im sorry about your laptop" and goes on to make an unusual offer.

The unnamed thief started the message by saying they were "very, very sorry" for taking the students laptop.

"I am extremely poor and needed the money. I left your phone and wallet, so I hope that slightly makes up for something.

" Err, thanks? The thief, who clearly had a guilty conscience, went on to make a gesture that doesnt quite make up for the theft.

"I can see you are a university student.

If there is any files on here such as university work on here that you need, let me know and I will send them to you here.

Once again I am sorry." Stevie tweeted the image, writing:

"So my flat mates laptop got stolen today, please pree what the thief sent him".

The Twitter post has since gone viral, and has now been shared over 28,000 times and received over 400 comments.

Some have praised the thief - and sympathise with their plight.

One said that the message "kinda breaks my heart" Another added:

"This is the nicest thief Ive ever seen."

"I actually like this thief", a third said.

Others were more critical of the thief, with one writing:

"Wow. I get it. And the email seems sweet.

"But damn you stole from a student. Students are broke too.

And now they need to figure out a laptop. Or how to get their work done.

" Some suggested the thief should write the essay, or the victim of theft should negotiate to secure the return of their laptop.