I kinda like the idea of deleting tbh. 

But the other side of the argument is: in your case there is the argument that you could have just replied to your own post with the apology, making it a thread. People would be able to see the "offense" as well as the apology and judge for themselves if it is warranted or not.

Where if you had deleted it, people who didn't see the original would only see your apology and have to take your word instead of judging for themselves.

But again, I see how prospect users can be turned off by it.