Convict promises to repay those from whom he stole ‘by the sweat of his brow’

Being on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison at Dodds has taught a convicted burglar how to seemingly “value” his freedom.

Andre Shamar Freeman also told Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell that he intends to “work by the sweat of my brow” to compensate the people he stole from when he burglarized their homes over two years ago.

He made those comments as he put forward his mitigation and submissions on sentencing before the No. 4 Supreme Court today during a virtual sitting.

Prior to this morning’s sitting Freeman had pleaded guilty to the July 28, 2019 offence of entering the house of Sabeeha Kazi-Kellman as a trespasser and stealing a laptop, two pairs of sunglasses, four pairs of earrings, five rings, a bracelet, a $50 cash for a total value of $14 380.

The convicted man who is currently at Dodds also admitted to entering the house of Ramon Jordon as a trespasser and stealing a watch, two bottles of cologne, $400 cash and a pack of boxers between September 5 and 6, 2018.

“I am sorry for what I had done in the past,” Freeman told the High Court judge as he pleaded for leniency.

“I am pleading to this court requesting to have a lenient amount of time allowing me to offer Mr Jordan and Mrs Kellman compensation if this court accepts my request.

“Ma’am in this place I have been . . .unable to sleep. This place has taught me how to value my freedom and how to maintain the power of choice.

“I am the one who is responsible for my own actions and ensuring that my path is a positive way of living is what I am to be focused upon. Ma’am I will never want to feel this way ever again. . .” he stated.

Freeman said that compensating the complainants “in full” would allow him to know that he had been “forgiven”.

He added: “If this court had to accept my request I would be able to pay both Mr Jordan and Mrs Kellman compensation through this court’s calculations.

“I know how I have caused them to feel and I intend to work by the sweat of my brow and earn money to pay them back in full. In my heart I have hurt every possible way known to man and having this chance to compensate Mr Jordan and Mrs Kellman for their items is all I am wishing to do. Even as little as $50 a day to allow me to pay an amount of $1 000 within each month. With the help of my uncle . . . I would also be working within a plant nursery to earn money.”

He explained that to be given such an opportunity would also allow him to take care of his grandmother who lives alone. He explained that he was “ready for society and its daily challenges”.

“Ma’am, I am tired of burning up my family’s energy, and putting out bad to society,” he added. “I think it is time and I believe it is time and I know it is time for myself that I can cope with society’s challenges positively. A chance to compensate both the complainants is all I am asking, to show that I am really sorry for what I have done and I have no intentions in going that side ever again.

“I know I will not get let go with a slap on the wrist because I have done wrong, but I am asking the court to grant me leniency to allow me to compensate both complainants,” he added.

Freeman’s matters will continue before Justice Smith-Bovell on November 18 when Crown Counsel Kevin Forde will state the prosecution’s position on sentencing in his cases.