A BAG of presents stolen from a Father Christmas in Rome has been returned with an apologetic note from the thieves after the victim made an impassioned appeal, Il Messaggero reported this week.
"We're sorry. We made a mistake. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" read the scrawled note left by the bag with à1000 worth of presents that were stolen on Christmas Eve but were found still in their wrapping.
The gifts were taken at a Christmas market on Piazza Navona in the city centre, where local businessman Giorgio Abbruzzese - dressed in a paunchy red costume and flowing white beard - has been a feature for years.
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