Usama approached Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) onbehalf of a woman (who had committed theft). The Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah shower on him) said,

"The people before you were destroyed because they used to inflict thelegal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich. By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! If Fatima (the daughter of the Prophet) did that (i.e. stole), I would cut off her hand."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 8 : No. 778