A thief was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison yesterday after stealing money out of a woman's bag and leaving an apology note that read: "Sorry, sister," in Beijing, a newspaper reported today.

An ex-convict surnamed Ge, 22, entered a home in Dongcheng District and stole about 2,000 yuan (US$291) from a woman's bag on July 7.

Police used fingerprints at the scene to arrest Ge, according to the The Beijing Times report.

"The room was simply furnished and I thought she was in difficulties, so I left 300 yuan in the bag and wrote 'Sorry, sister,'" Ge said in court, according to the report.

The lady found her money stolen the next morning and the note. At first she thought a friend was playing a joke, but later she called police.

Ge has a criminal record for larceny and was sent to jail in October 2007.

He stole this woman's money soon after being released from prison, the report said.

(Shanghai Daily December 2, 2008)