He started annual blood drives and made speeches in defence of human rights in India.

But on Tuesday, the former Sikh leader will be in Surrey Provincial Court to be sentenced for robbing a bank last fall, desperate for cash to feed a crack habit that sent his life spiralling downward.

In a series of jail interviews, Rai, now 44 and clean for months, said he is contrite about his actions and ready to face whatever punishment is meted out.

"I am so ashamed and so embarrassed," Rai said on the weekend. "I have hurt my family and friends and other members of the community. I ask for forgiveness. It could have been my daughter working in the bank."