Kevin LeCointre said if released he can do good and told Judge Lynn E. Cole that he has used his time in custody to improve himself.
The 41-year-old man, who has been found guilty of his involvement with a home invasion in Piccadilly, was in court for sentencing on Wednesday morning and offered up the comment when Cole asked him if he had anything to say.
His first remark was to thank the court for its time and said everyone in the system really treated him with respect.
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LeCointre told Cole that during his time in prison he hasn’t been idle, working in the laundry, the kitchen and doing janitorial chores on his floor.
He said he’s fixed gym equipment, mowed lawns, done gardening and was even involved in building picnic tables for an autistic program.
In addition to his labour background, he said he drew on his business administration background to help out at the prison in doing television, phone and bathroom schedules.
Asked by the judge about family contact, LeCointre said since he was in prison he has spoken to aunts, uncles and his dad but unfortunately during that time has lost contact with his oldest kids.
“Time in jail is nothing compared to losing contact with my children,” he said.
LeCointre told Judge Cole that if he were to be released from prison tomorrow he would have a job waiting for him that was promised by a relative.
However, that’s not likely to happen if Cole leans towards the sentence being sought by Crown Attorney Susan Gallant, who is asking for a range of eight to 10 years in total.
It’s a far cry from the one to two years that LeCointre’s defence lawyer John Hartery is requesting.
Gallant said from the events of the incident in Piccadilly on that night, it’s quite clear all the elements for a home invasion have been met — from targeting the home, bringing the weapon which in this case was a baseball bat, breaking into the home and committing the assault and robbery.
She also pointed to LeCointre’s past criminal record, with some of it involving violence and the fact that he was on a recognizance during the incident in Piccadilly.
Gallant said the sanctity of one’s residence is something that should be protected and that a person should feel safe in their own home.
Hartery talked about LeCointre’s consistent work history and the fact that he helped out with volunteer work in Sheaves Cove, the community where he lived.
“He feels he is well like and accepted in Sheaves Cove,” he said. “There is some good in Mr. LeCointre.”
Cole already decided in February that LeCointre is guilty of the offences for which he is charged, with the exception of the aggravated assault charge.
While she didn’t find LeCointre guilty of aggravated assault, she did find him guilty of the included offence of assault causing bodily harm.
She told LeCointre on Wednesday his comments were helpful but that she would need some time to go over everything presented to her, including the case laws by both lawyers.
Cole set a date of May 1 for her decision but said if it was at all possible she would try to get it done earlier (week of April 24) where LeCointre has been in remand for so long.
