Man sentenced to 8 years in home invasion case

A St. John's man was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to break and enter with robbery and several breaches of court order Tuesday, following a violent home invasion case in 2009.

Stephen Clowe, 27, who was arrested in Calgary in June after evading authorities for almost two years, told the court Tuesday he was sorry, and should never have taken part in the invasion. He said he believes he deserves any sentence handed down.

A group of men, including Clowe, burst into a home on MacKenzie Street in the east end of St. John's in April 2009. A 60-year-old man was beaten with a hammer, and the woman in the house was threatened with a gun.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said the robbers got away with $4,000, which has never been recovered.

Dean Lewis, who also took part in the invasion, was given a 9.5-year sentence in the case.

On Tuesday, the crown noted that Clowe pleaded guilty while Lewis went on trial and has a much longer criminal record than Clowe.

On Nov. 9, 2011, Rene Seers, 30, pleaded guilty to the robbery and is scheduled to appear in court for a sentencing hearing on November 21.

Gordon Bishop, 27, was acquitted the same day Seers pleaded guilty.