Penitent toy thief
Dec 8 2006 By The Journal
A thief who stole Christmas presents destined for children in hospital has seemingly seen the error of his ways after anonymously handing over a bag of 20 presents to the restaurant where the gifts were taken.
He was seen on CCTV taking up to six presents from the Pizza Hut in Southampton, Hampshire, on Sunday. Staff were so appalled they released footage to the media and the police.
Yesterday, manager Tim West said the sack of toys and a note were dropped off at the restaurant.
In the letter, the thief said: "I feel ashamed. I'm embarrassed and I'm so sorry."
Sales meltdown
SALES of seasonable chocolates are to nosedive as consumers cut back on festive excess, a report out today predicts.
Shoppers will splash out £420m on celebration products and gift boxes this year, market analyst Mintel predicts.
That has dropped from £501m in 2004.
Growing health awareness means consumers are cutting down on the chocolate they eat and give.
The sales dip will be softened by the trend for shoppers "trading up" to more expensive chocolate brands.
Spy friend's coma
THE funeral of poisoned Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko was held yesterday as it was claimed a witness in the murder inquiry had fallen into a coma.
The former spy was laid to rest at Highgate Cemetery in north London.
It was said the Russian businessman Dmitry Kovtun, who met Mr Litvinenko on the day he was allegedly poisoned in London, was critically ill in Russia.
A Russian news agency said he had fallen into a coma immediately after being questioned by Russian investigators and Scotland Yard detectives.
Yesterday, it was disclosed that all seven staff who were working at the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel, where Mr Litvinenko had a meeting on the day he fell ill, had tested positive for low levels of radiation.
Wallis's bangle
A CUFF bangle given to Wallis Simpson by King Edward VIII sold for three times its estimated value at auction yesterday.
It sold for £81,600 at Bonhams in London. A ruby and sapphire brooch, another gift from Edward to Mrs Simpson, sold for £36,000.
A spokeswoman for Bonhams said the Cartier bracelet had gone to a bidder from New York after a tense and exciting auction. The brooch was given to Mrs Simpson at the start of the affair which led to the abdication.
