SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man was sentenced last week to time served plus one day after pleading guilty to an assault on his wife where he dragged her across the floor by her feet.

On March 20, RCMP received a call that an assault had taken place at a city residence. A 45-year-old man at the home had accused his wife of not telling the truth about who drove her home after a night out with friends. He proceeded to drag by her feet across the floor and hit her twice with his fist.

Crown prosecutor Glen Boyd asked for a sentence of at least 30 days in jail and one year of probation.

The man, who was in jail for 11 days awaiting his sentencing, told territorial court Judge Christine Gagnon he felt bad for what he did and he planned to make changes in his life to deal with his anger. He and his family are scheduled to attend a two-month treatment program in Manitoba.

"I'm not a bad person," he told Gagnon. "I love my wife and I love my children."

Defence lawyer Jay Bran said the man was the only income earner in the household. He has seven children, and his wife was in the courtroom during sentencing.

Gagnon told the man that because it was his wife he attacked it "makes it a more serious assault," but she also said she took into consideration the fact his wife didn't have any "lasting injuries."

"You need to deal with how you manage your emotions," the judge said, adding treatment will help.

The man also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and received a $500 fine and an additional one-year driving prohibition on top of the three year driving ban he already had.