I stood in front of the bench. The sentencing judge peered down at me with a look of disgust.
‘Do you have anything to say in mitigation before sentencing?’ he asked.
My solicitor had advised me against saying anything: ‘Just accept the punishment. You were found guilty. The judge will frown upon excuses.’
But I wanted to say something in my defence. I bit my lip.
‘Very well,’ the judge resumed.
‘There is just one thing I want to say, your honour,’ I interrupted him, drawing another withering look.
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