Druids Heath robber writes apology letter to victims
A robber has written a letter to his victims to apologise and explain he was at a "low point" in his life when he committed his crimes.
Richard Dawson, 30, from Druids Heath, snatched jewellery and valuables from more than 20 people over a two-month period in Solihull and Birmingham.
Dawson wrote the letter from prison while on remand and asked police to give copies to his victims.
Police said he was jailed for eight and a half years at Birmingham Crown Court.
In the letter, Dawson wrote: "Hi my name is Richard…I'm really sorry for wot (sic) I have done to you and caused you distress. I truly wish I could turn back the clock…I didn't target you, you just happened to be in the area when I was at my low point of my life.
"I don't expect you to forgive me but I would ask you understand I was desprat (sic - desperate) at the time. I am really sorry!!"
Dawson committed the robberies in March on several occasions brandished a metal bar to threaten victims, West Midlands Police said.
He was arrested after being recognised by a member of the public while stealing from a woman in Kings Heath and convicted on Monday.
Det Con Arron Cox said: "It's inexplicable he'd suddenly turn to a life of crime, he had no previous convictions and couldn't really explain why he'd started offending.
"He's shown genuine remorse from the moment he was arrested [but] despite his remorse he's rightly been jailed for a long time."
Mr Cox said none of Dawson's victims were seriously injured.