Editorial: Faith merits reward

Lenz Superette owner Farukh Khan says he forgives the man who robbed him.

Not many people would be willing to show the level of forgiveness displayed by Tauranga shop owner Faruck Khan.

Yesterday, the Bay of Plenty Times reported Mr Khan had forgiven Brett Robert Heginbotham, the man who robbed him while armed with a pistol.

Heginbotham, a regular customer at the dairy, has said he was battling an addiction to legal highs when he robbed the store of $5000 worth of synthetic cannabis and cigarettes.

The two had a restorative justice meeting and Mr Khan was impressed with the remorse shown by the offender. The pair agreed that once Khan opened a laundromat, Heginbotham could do some work there. Mr Khan is only too happy to work alongside him and is even prepared to help him find a job.

So why doesn't he want to see the man who robbed him thrown in jail?

Bad things happen every day, he reasons, and that's why it is important to do something good.

Prison would only teach the robber bad habits and that would not be a good outcome for either Heginbotham, his family or the community. The first-time offender needs a chance to redeem himself and move on with his life, he says.

Mr Khan's stand on this matter is admirable and, in the long run, it has probably helped him recover from the trauma of the robbery.

He chose not to let the event taint his view of the world and knew if he did react that way it would only "only eat away at him".

We can only hope Heginbotham learns from his victim's gracious example.