SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A man charged with assault, theft and not following court orders was sentenced to 75 days in jail Tuesday.

Territorial court Judge Garth Malakoe told Lawrence Blackduck, who pleaded guilty and has a lengthy criminal record with similar charges, "There is a pattern here, and it has been going on for 21 years."

The assault and theft charges stem from an incident on June 12, 2010 when an intoxicated Blackduck, 42, walked into the Extra Foods in downtown Yellowknife and stole a package of meat. The store manager called RCMP who arrested Blackduck as he spit on the manager.

Defence lawyer Daniel Rideout told the court Blackduck had an admitted problem with alcohol and his past and present troubles relate to his drinking.

Blackduck told the court he is illiterate, his first language is Dogrib and he has a desire to improve his English and learn to read and write. The last job he had was as a forest firefighter in 2002.

He will be credited for the 12 days he has already served in custody, and will face probation upon release.

Get a lawyer, judge suggests repeatedly

A Yellowknife man facing three charges represented himself in court on Tuesday, but his attempt to plead guilty to some of the charges ran into some opposition from the judge.

The man is facing a charge of sexual assault, as well as breach of probation and breach of a court undertaking. The latter accusation is he broke a court order to abstain from alcohol.

The accused, standing in the prisoner's dock, told the judge he intended to plead guilty to the two breach charges because "I just want to get this over with.

"I'm guilty because I drank," he said.

Malakoe was reluctant to either give advice or accept the plea, but suggested repeatedly the accused consult a lawyer to understand fully the charges against him. The judge tried to indicate a guilty plea to both breach charges could undermine a future defence against the assault charge.

The man seemed to have an epiphany, saying, "Oh, I got it now!" but still tried to plead guilty to the breach of undertaking.

Malakoe repeatedly stated he could not counsel the accused nor stop him from acting as his own lawyer. Eventually, legal aid lawyer Daniel Rideout stepped forward and offered to act as counsel for the day until the accused could secure a lawyer for his case.

Malakoe called Rideout's offer "very generous."

In the end, the case was adjourned without pleas being entered to give Rideout time to discuss the situation with the accused this week.

Birthday will mark end of probation

An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to seven charges related to drug possession and breaking conditions of probation in territorial court on Tuesday.

The man, who appeared with his father and a lawyer before Judge Garth Malakoe, was given a sentence of 26 days, equivalent to the time he had already served in custody.

Malakoe said the young man "clearly has issues with respect to drugs, alcohol and peer pressure."

Malakoe said although the man would be a free that day, that doesn't give him licence to ignore his troubles.

"All the problems you had before today, you're still going to have them," said Malakoe. "Think about how you're feeling right now."

Malakoe issued a one-year probation order, requiring the man to report to a probation officer, attend school and work and take counselling.

The man's previous probation order, which prevents him from consuming alcohol, is still in effect. Malakoe noted it will expire, coincidentally, on Nov. 19 - the day the man will turn 19 and be legally allowed to drink.

On Nov. 23, the man will be required to report to the court to monitor his progress.

"I hope you'll still be out of trouble," said Malakoe.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.