I guess they didn't feel like chasing him if there was a NEXT time.
Islam chops the right hand off.. so, I guess he got off lucky..
“And (as for) the male thief and the female thief, cut off (from the wrist joint) their (right) hands as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allaah. And Allaah is All Powerful, All Wise” [al-Maa’idah 5:38]
That would be okay IF the defendant was truly guilty. I don't know for sure but I would be willing to guess that there are no appellate courts in most islamic countries.
For that matter, I wonder about our courts.
Catching a thief in the act is another thing altogether. Just my $.02 worth.