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It rarely comes up, but courts still recognize the historical right of allocution, in which an offender may address the court before sentencing. In fact, the law requires the court to ask, but this frequently fails to happen, with no lasting effect. Most decline. Others offer brief apologies.

Al-Saedi stood up, moved the lectern to face the students, who listened with rapt attention. He had no script, but his speech was eloquent and direct, without self pity, revealing his insight and “abject humiliation.”

That night it taught me a lesson that I could never forget

“So you guys heard what happened to me,” he said. He spoke of the dangers of one bad decision. He lamented that he let down his father, who was sick and needed his help.

“So, not that I only damaged myself, I damaged the public, I damaged everything about me, like, as a person. I wish that I could go back to that night and do everything differently, but the matter of the facts is that I can’t. And I can regret it, but at the same time I learned a lesson. And, look at me and take me as a lesson. If it would help you down the line to not make mistakes,” he said.

“I’m not going to put the blame on my friends. I’m old enough. I’m going to take the actions of what have I done and I’m going to accept it,” he said. “And, maybe this happened to me for a reason. Maybe after seeing me you guys — I might have a saved a life in the future. I don’t know, but I believe things happen for a reason and that night it taught me a lesson that I could never forget. It taught me how to be a — it showed me how I could be a better me.”

“So, try not to get in trouble, make sure you pick out your friends and always think twice before you do anything. Always. And if you’re mad just count to 10. That’s all I guess.”

Judge Green spared Al-Saedi a criminal conviction, and discharged him with conditions, including more volunteer work. His 18-month probation means he cannot enter Toronto’s club district — bounded by Queen, Front, University and Spadina — except to pass through it in a vehicle. He declined an interview request.

• Email: jbrean@postmedia.com | Twitter: JosephBrean