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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A sentencing hearing began for a Yellowknife man on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges including assault on a man he called a "faggot."

Corey Rosnawski faced sentencing after an early morning incident on Jan. 1 when he punched the man and broke one of the windows in his house.

"The accused thought the complainant was making sexual advances toward him and he lost his temper," said defence attorney Hugh Latimer.

The same man also called RCMP after a second incident on Jan. 25 when Rosnawski approached him outside the Raven nightclub and again used the same epithet.

Crown attorney Terri Nguyen described the use of the word "faggot" as showing the "immaturity and ignorance of the accused ... Your sexuality should raise no concerns that you're going to have people attack you."

Rosnawski is also facing charges of breaching probation when he was twice found by police out past curfew and once intoxicated after he was instructed not to consume alcohol.

Judge Brian Bruser adjourned the remainder of the sentencing to Oct. 24, as there was not enough time to finish the hearing Tuesday.

Man jailed after leaving Salvation Army

Christopher Wanderingspirit pleaded guilty on Tuesday to being unlawfully at large after he signed out of custody the Salvation Army and did not return.

On July 29, Wanderingspirit left the shelter to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at 8 a.m. When he was not back at the shelter by 9:15 a.m. RCMP were notified and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Wanderingspirit was located on Aug. 21 and taken into custody.

"Jail is necessary in these circumstances," said Crown attorney Terri Nguyen. "You don't just walk away and do whatever it is you feel like doing."

The Crown requested a sentence of 60 to 90 days in jail.

"The persistence of this record dates back 17 years," Judge Brian Bruser said before handing down a sentence of 45 days in jail.

No driving for two years

A Yellowknife man will not be permitted to drive for two years after he was sentenced for driving while prohibited from doing so. Robin Kelly, 23, pleaded guilty to breaching the condition after an incident on June 27.

RCMP stopped the vehicle Kelly had been driving at a check stop set up on Franklin Avenue. Kelly had been prohibited from driving for a year following a previous conviction in January.

"The public needs to understand driving prohibitions need to be followed," said Crown attorney Terri Nguyen. Judge Brian Bruser said these types of laws are intended to keep the roads clear of those who become intoxicated and drive "because of the mayhem and damage and carnage they cause."

The Crown had also sought one day in jail, which Bruser did not impose.

"You can expect, if you are found guilty of this again, there will be jail time," Bruser told Kelly.