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.