Burglar returns crash victim's journal

A burglar with a conscience has been caught on CCTV returning the personal journal of a young woman killed in a car crash that had been stolen from her parents' home.

Last month, thieves broke into the home of Clive and Patricia Wilson and stole jewellery as well as mementoes of their daughter Lisa who died in a car crash in Australia.

Then last Thursday, as Mr and Mrs Wilson were at a Christmas party, the burglar crept back into the garden of their home in Nomansland, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, and returned all of the items that had belonged to their daughter.

Mr Wilson, 56, said: "This is the best Christmas present.

"Lisa's journal was irreplaceable, it was full of her words and she will never be able to say anything to us again.

"We have had all her special thoughts returned to us which is amazing. In some ways it brings her back to life for us.

"Our daughter used to say there's something good in everybody, whatever colour or creed and I guess she's right."

The journal covers Miss Wilson's final days as she went travelling in Australia before she died at the age of 23 in a car accident near Ayers Rock in November 2002.

Her parents kept the diary along with postcards and photos in a safe which was ripped out in the burglary which happened on November 30.

Also stolen but not returned by the burglar were jewellery belonging to Mrs Wilson and the wedding rings of Mr Wilson's parents.

Mrs Wilson, 59, said: "When I think about what's happened, it always goes back to Lisa.

"She saw the good in everyone, no matter who they were. I think she touched the hearts of those guys who broke into our house.

"It proves her point that there is good in everyone."

The burglar was captured by CCTV cameras installed outside the home and the footage shows a figure placing the stolen items in a cat basket outside the house.

Wiltshire police are examining the returned items to check for fingerprints.

A trust fund set up by Lisa's parents in her memory has raised £160,000 to help students with financial difficulties continue their education at university. For details visit www.lisathedaddy.com .