87yo tells burglar "You're a naughty boy"
An 87-year-old woman who was confronted by a burglar in her own home has pleaded with a judge not to send the culprit behind bars.
Helena Mackay told the County Court Victor Foster needed a job and rehabilitation, not to be sent to jail, 3AW reports.
Speaking to the radio show this morning, the feisty mother-of-three said when she nabbed the intruder she shook him and told him: 'you're a naughty boy'.
"I said to him ' what are you doing?' He said 'I'm sorry'."
Mrs Mackay said she felt sorry for him and felt he needed a chance. "He looked sad and sorry," she said.
But determined he was not to flee the crime scene with any stolen valuables, Mrs Mackay demanded to see inside the intruder's bag. "I said to him 'open up your bag and let's have a look' but there was nothing in it."
Foster pleaded guilty to five charges including aggravated burglary. He will be sentenced tomorrow.
One of Melbourne's leading defence lawyers, Rob Stary, has praised Mrs Mackay's generosity and forgiveness.
"We know that once you jail someone you contaminate them for life and we know that their prospects of successfully rehabilitating are not strong," he told 7News.
Only since 2003 have Victorian courts been required to take into account the views of victims who had forgiven their attackers. Prior to that, they formally considered only those who wanted their attackers punished.
