AN Exmouth have-a-go-hero, who single-handedly caught a thief while she helped neighbours, has extended her generosity towards the man who stole her property. The 25-year-old nursery leader, from Alexandra Terrace, had been helping neighbours with a young

AN Exmouth have-a-go-hero, who single-handedly caught a thief while she helped neighbours, has extended her generosity towards the man who stole her property.

The 25-year-old nursery leader, from Alexandra Terrace, had been helping neighbours with a young baby carry a heavy load of shopping to an upstairs flat, when an opportunist thief brazenly walked into the property and stole the Good Samaritan's handbag, bank card and cash.

But when Lisa, who does not want to reveal her surname, learned the thief had turned to crime after hitting hard times, any anger she felt was immediately replaced by sympathy.

After Lisa caught the burglar, she spoke to him while waiting for the police to arrive.

She said he claimed his marriage had broken down and he had turned to a life of drink and crime to survive.

"He told me he had three options - get arrested, go to hospital or jump off a cliff," said Lisa. "I feel for him because I have never known anyone say that.

"I believe there's a little bit of good in everybody.

"I can't help thinking he's done this for a reason. He's got to be desperate to have done it.

"He said 'I want to try option one or two before I jump off the cliff'.

"I did feel sorry for him. I think he wanted to be caught.

"I think he was trying to ask for help in a round-about way.

"I am not angry at him. I am just gutted for his sake he had to resort to this.

"I am angry at myself for leaving the door on the latch, I should have been more aware.

"The police kept saying I had caught a burglar, but I don't feel like a hero.

"I just hope he gets the help he needs."

Lisa and her boyfriend Mark, 30, who is known locally as 'Ginger', had been helping their neighbours, who have a young baby, carry their monthly shop from a taxi to their upstairs flat

Moments later, Lisa returned to her home she shares with Ginger to find a man coming out of the couple's front door carrying her bag.

After demanding he give her bag back, Lisa said the man sat down and rolled a cigarette saying 'phone the police, I have been caught'.