A newsagent has welcomed back the Dundee High School pupils who raided his shop during a blackout.
Nazir Jamal, who owns Bell Street News, said he is happy to move on after the incident, which led to 18 pupils being suspended and another expelled from the £11,000-a-year school.
The children have now apologised to Mr Jamal, who said he is happy to welcome them back to his shop.
He told The Courier: “This incident was a moment of madness and I think the kids just took the opportunity without thinking about the consequences.
“The children involved have apologised, some have sent me very nice letters and others have come in with their parents to apologise in person.”
One pupil wrote to Mr Jamal saying: “I’m deeply sorry for stealing two Creme Eggs.”
A special meeting was also set up so that all the pupils involved could speak to Mr Jamal about the incident and apologise further.
He said: “The situation is fine now. I would be delighted to serve them again after the apologies.
“I am very fond of the children who are normally very well disciplined, polite and cheerful when they come in.
“There is no ill feeling. The school, children and parents have more than recompensed. They even paid me back more than the cost of what they stole.
“I depend on them and they depend on me. I would like to welcome them back.”
He added although he had never reported the incident, the school’s response was excellent after responsible older students informed the school of the incident.
School rector Dr John Halliday said: “In addition to the sanctions that were imposed upon the pupils involved, we felt that it was vital for the boys to face up to the notion of individual responsibility so that there can be a positive outcome to this episode.
“They have now apologised individually to Mr Jamal face to face, as well as, of course, reimbursing the shop fully. I am pleased that Mr Jamal has accepted the apologies of the pupils with characteristic grace and generosity and we all regard the matter as now closed.”