SIMON requested to take part in restorative justice.

The meeting took place at Wigan Fire Station after he was released from Forest Bank.

He said: "I did justify my crimes and minimalise them, by the commercial burglaries, they are insured, they get their money back so they are a winner and I am a winner, no victims.

"That was how I was able to continue committing those crimes.

"When I got out I went straight into drug and alcohol treatment."

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His victim agreed to meet Simon.

He said: "She did say she was expecting some 6ft 3inches monster and she could not believe it, I looked terrified and I was.

"She asked me certain questions the main question she wanted answers to was 'why me?' 'why my premisses' and I told her it was easily accessible, it was where it was situated. I said it wasn't personal, believe me it wasn't personal but had I not got in your building because I needed drugs that much that night I would have burgled the next building.

"And that gave her some kind of closure, she thought it was a personal attack on her. That upset me, that she is sat with that for so long — is she thinking 'what if they come to my home?, what if they follow me home?' if it is personal.

"That hurt me that she carried that for so long because this was nearly two years later.

"I was expecting a verbal attack — she did not even raise her voice he just wanted answers.

"I think I wanted her to attack me but I think benefitted me more that she was so nice because it made me realise she was terrified by the end she was wishing me well.”

Simon said she told his probation officer than she wanted him to continue on the positive path he is on and "live a happy life".

As a result she was given monthly updates on his progress.

"That inspired me to carry on doing what I was doing, not only for myself but I wanted her to know I have changed. I am doing well.

"It was worth going through the process that she went through because I know it must have been difficult for her and everything has been positive since."