A man sentenced to the penitentiary for his role in a violent home invasion four years ago is getting more jail time.
Ryan Osecap entered guilty pleas to an assault charge and an obstruction of justice charge Wednesday in North Battleford provincial court.
Osecap's appearance before Judge David Kaiser was via closed circuit television from cells in Saskatoon.
According to facts outlined in court Wednesday, the assault charge stems from an altercation April 24 inside the court building when he threw punches at another prisoner. The obstruction charge stems from a false statement made to police a year earlier, which he later contradicted in testimony at a preliminary hearing.
Osecap previously served penitentiary time, on break and enter and membership in a criminal organization charges, for his role in the violent Jan. 27, 2010 home invasion on 98th Street in North Battleford. That incident, in which several members of the Native Syndicate gang were involved, saw the occupant of the home beaten with a metal pipe.
It was noted in court by defence lawyer Andrew Lister Wednesday that Osecap has taken steps to turn his life around and had "dropped his colors" with the Native Syndicate. He was also getting his alcoholism under control, it was noted.
In court, Osecap took responsibility and apologized for his recent actions, and said he wanted to "move forward" with his life. He indicated he was "trying to take the necessary steps" so he could be there for his family.
Both Crown and defence counsel suggested a sentence in the range of nine to 12 months overall. Kaiser sentenced Osecap to nine months in jail, running consecutive to his earlier sentence, and a $200 victim surcharge,.
