SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Jean Marie River man was sentenced in territorial court on Nov. 30 to more than a year's jail time for an assault on a woman that left her with permanent scars on her face.

Travis Minoza, 33, pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm.

"He punched her several times in the face and head," said Crown prosecutor Danielle Vaillancourt.

Judge Garth Malakoe sentenced Minoza to 15 months in jail for the assault and two additional months for the mischief, which was covered by 70 days of credit Minoza was given for his time spent in custody.

The assault left her with a two-inch scar on her upper face, a scar on her lip, and she had a "baseball-sized goose-egg." She stayed in her house for two weeks because she didn't want to be seen in that shape.

"She stated she felt like a prisoner in her own house," said Vaillancourt.

"She was sick of being beaten up and wanted Minoza to be charged."

She reported the assault to the police, who then found Minoza passed out on a chair in the kitchen of a house owned by a relative.

They woke him up and arrested him and was co-operative until he got inside the police vehicle. Once he was in, he started swearing and kicking the door "violently," causing damage that cost $250 to repair. In relation to that damage he pleaded guilty to one count of mischief, as well.

Minoza has 12 prior convictions for violence, including many against women. His last conviction, in 2008 for assault causing bodily harm, landed him 18 months in jail. Before that, in 2005, he was sentenced for one count of aggravated assault, two of assault, one of assault with a weapon and one of uttering threats - landing him a total of 29 months in prison. In 2000 he was sentenced to 20 months for assault with a weapon, and the list goes on.

"He's received lengthy sentences in the past and he's simply not getting the message," said Vaillancourt.

Minoza's defence lawyer, Anthony Parr, told the court Minoza is "not in denial of his past" and said he admits he has a problem with drugs and alcohol.

"He never sought to minimize what happened," said Parr, adding "as bad as this is, the court sees worse."

Parr asked sufficient credit be given for the guilty plea, and asked the mischief sentence be covered by the time Minoza has spent in custody awaiting trial.

Minoza told the court he was sorry, and said his crimes have been on his mind since he was arrested.

"If you are the type of person to be able to turn your life around, I hope you use this as an opportunity," said Malakoe.

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