Though happy to make off with cash and electrical goods, robbers took the time to rescue a goldfish harmed during their break in, writes Nathan Hill
In a sudden show of unexpected conscience, burglers in Wollaton, Nottinghamshire have rescued a goldfish.
When home owners Lance and Monica McGill returned to their property, they feared the worst after finding their possessions gone and their goldfish bowl smashed. However, further investigation revealed that the intruders had taken the time to place Freddie the goldfish into a sink with some water, where his owners found him swimming.
It's thought that the bowl was knocked to the floor while the thieves were searching for valuables, and cash, a camera and laptops were stolen during the burglary.
'We phoned the police straight away and they said not to touch anything until they got there, so we just waited,' Monica McGill said.
'It wasn't until they had left two hours later that I went to the kitchen sink for a drink and saw Freddie looking up at me.
'He was just there splashing around in the sink without a care in the world. You wouldn't have known what he had just been through. He looked quite content.
'I couldn't believe they went out of their way to save him. I thought he was gone for sure.
'It is mixed feelings really. They are still thieves that need catching - but we are really grateful they took the time to save Freddie.
'We bought him for my youngest daughter from a garden centre for her first birthday so she is quite fond of him. She was really happy when we found out he was alive.
‘The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. They’re just there to take whatever they can to make some money from.