A broken-hearted lad had his faith in humanity restored after an appeal to get his stolen bike back was successful.
Nine-year-old James Brewster was given the present by his late father. The thieves clearly didn't know that it was coming up to the first year's anniversary of his dad's death.
James' mum, Una, launched a Facebook appeal to get the bike back.
She wrote: "I am appealing to the person who, over the last few days, was along the path in front of houses nos. 121-126 in Pinebank, and who saw the opportunity to steal my son's silver bike, to please return it.
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"Let me put you in the picture... you have caused more heartache to a child who tomorrow will be remembering the nightmare which unfolded one year ago to the day... one that NO child should ever experience, that of losing his father... and to make it worse this bike was a gift from his daddy. If you have a heart at all, return the bike please and nothing more said.... [sic]"
It turns out that the thieves did actually have a conscience (and access to a computer) as after the status went viral, the bike was returned. Fittingly, it came back on the anniversary of James' dad's death.
As you can tell by his face, he can't believe it. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, James said: "When I came home from Gaelic after-school club, I went into the garden without knowing my mum had seen the bike.
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"I actually looked at the bike and didn't think it was really there. I thought I was dreaming. It's the last thing my dad gave to me as a present.
"It was pretty amazing that so many people came on Facebook to try and find it, and everybody gave us huge support to try and find it. I've been barely off the bike since."
Obviously, you shouldn't steal off little kids (or anyone) ever, but it's nice to know that the thieves realised the profound impact the theft had on the child.
Featured image credit: Facebook
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