The robber
Peter Woolf, 50, is married to Louise, and works as a
counsellor to rehabilitate criminals …
‘It was easy to break into Will’s house. Just one push and
the lock broke. I quickly took some gold jewellery and some
money from upstairs. I was feeling lucky.
But when I was coming downstairs and I bumped into Will
in the hall, I suddenly felt frightened. I thought, “He’s a big
guy. If he wanted to, he could hurt me.”
I tried to escape. I didn’t want to hit him, but I did. I’m not
a violent guy, but I just did what I had to do. There was a
flower pot, and I smashed it on his head.
After I was arrested, all I felt was a big sense of relief. I was
going back to a place I knew well. I’d been in and out of
prison for 18 years, for theft, burglary and fraud.I started using drugs when I was 10 and became an addict
at 14. I’d hit rock bottom. I stole because it was the only
thing I knew how to do. I knew it would only lead me back to
prison.
I was given a three-year sentence. It was while I was in jail
someone mentioned Restorative Justice. I couldn’t see the
point, but I agreed to do it because I was bored.
It wasn’t until I started walking down the corridor towards
the library that I got scared.
When I got there I sat down and just looked at the floor. I
said the same rubbish I always used to say to the police. But
Will was furious, and I was shocked. I thought, “My God, I
did all this.”
I felt angry with myself, and ashamed. I was
determined to make things better.
I suddenly realized that I was responsible for this man’s pain.
He wasn’t just a faceless nobody that I’d stolen from. I felt
angry with myself, and ashamed. I was determined to make
things better.
I did a course of rehab to get off drugs. I also started a
course to be a counsellor.
It was at the counselling class that I met Louise. I was over
the moon. And my life changed completely …
I was released early after 18 months, and Louise and I got
married. Life hasn’t been easy, but I’ve worked hard to get
things together.
I’m now helping others. I’m clean of drugs and haven’t
committed another crime. I feel proud of myself. These days,
I consider myself lucky that I broke into Will’s house that day.
If I hadn’t – and if we hadn’t become friends – I don’t know
what I would have done. I guess I’d be dead by now.’