A Chinese iPhone thief may have atoned somewhat for his crime, sending his victim a handwritten list of nearly 1,000 contact numbers.

The list ran to 11 pages.

According to state media, the pickpocket took Zou Bin's phone earlier this month when they shared a taxi in the central province of Hunan.

Zou had nearly 1,000 phone numbers saved on it, a loss which he said bothered him more than the phone.

According to the AFP news agency, he said he sent a text message to the thief, saying: "I know you are the man who sat beside me. I can assure you that I will find you.