War criminal Charles Taylor has pleaded with judges to show leniency when sentencing him as he is a grandfather and does not pose a risk to society.
The former Liberian president, who will be sentenced later this month after being found guilty of aiding and abetting 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, told judges that witnesses in his trial had been bribed and threatened.
"Witnesses were paid, coerced and in many cases threatened with prosecution if they did not give statements."
Submitting his sentencing plea from the witness box Taylor, 64, described by prosecutors as an "intelligent, charismatic manipulator", told judges on Wednesday he was a family man.
"I'm a father of many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"I say with respect: Reconciliation and healing, not retribution, should be the guiding principles in your honours' task."
Taylor's offences include acts of terrorism, murder, rape, sexual slavery, the use of child soldiers and outrages of personal dignity.
In court he expressed "sadness and sympathy" for "crimes suffered by individuals and families in Sierra Leone."
Taylor was found to have built a rebel army which used terror tactics to slaughter and mutilate thousands during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war.
The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) carved its name in the backs of more than 1,000 children to stop them escaping and amputated the limbs of their victims.
Taylor was found to be criminally responsible for providing guns to the RUF in return for blood diamonds while he was leader of Liberia.
The RUF was infamous for using child soldiers, who were often drugged on cocaine and gunpowder when they carried out their killings. The RUF was also known for brutally amputating its victims' limbs with machetes, with up to 20,000 victims reported.
But he was cleared of ordering the atrocities carried out by the RUF directly.
During Taylor's seven-month evidence to the trial he denied allegations of cannibalism in response to claims he had eaten human liver. Judges also heard witnesses who said the RUF fighters ate human flesh and flung the intestines of the people they murdered in the road.
Prosecutors have said the offences could lead to 80 years in prison. He will be sentenced on 30 May.