Yellowknife (Apr 15/05) - A Yellowknife man was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for his role in a January 2004 home invasion that reverberated throughout the city.

Michael Payne, 21, sobbed and hugged his mother after Supreme Court Justice Ted Richard handed down the sentence.

Payne pleaded guilty to a single count of break and enter with the intent to commit robbery during a Monday afternoon court hearing.

"I'm very sorry for what happened," Payne told the court. "I try to stay out of trouble, but it still finds me."

Three other men are facing a host of charges in connection with Jan. 8, 2004 home invasion: Burton Dodman, Gary Taylor and Wade Sutherland.

Richard imposed a temporary publication ban on the facts surrounding the case until the three accused stand trial in October.

Dodman told Yellowknifer last week Payne had agreed to co-operate with Crown during their trial.

Payne originally faced seven charges, including two counts each of assault with a weapon and unlawful confinement.

Six of those charges were eventually withdrawn -- the final two coming Monday after Payne pleaded guilty to the break and enter charge.

Richard recommended Payne serve the three-year prison sentence at the North Slave Correction Centre in Yellowknife instead of a southern penitentiary, though the final decision rests with the federal corrections department. The justice also barred Payne from owning a firearm for 10 years.

Payne still faces three charges -- including possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime -- stemming from a March 22 arrest in Yellowknife.

Strict conditions

At the time of his arrest, Payne was on strict conditions, which included a curfew, while he awaited trial on the home invasion charge.

He was released by a Justice of the Peace pending an April 5th appearance in territorial court.