9 years for St. John's home invasion

A man whoinstigated a brutal St. John's home invasion last year was given a lengthy prison sentence Tuesday.

Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Justice Robert Fowler sentenced Dean Lewis, 32, to9 years in prison. Lewis was given 18 months credit for time already served.

Lewis was convicted in March of breaking and entering, even though he was not actually in an east-endSt. John's house when three men robbed a couple there in April 2009.

The court had already accepted that Lewis had shown the home to three men last year, and knew they would rob it. Court had been told that Lewis overheard an inmate at Her Majesty's Penitentiary saythat his aunt had $6,000 in cash that belonged to them.

During the robbery, one of the men put a gun to the woman's head while her husband was hit in the head several times with a hammer.

Crown attorney Sheldon Steeves said the sentencesends a "strong message" to criminals.

"This is sort of on the rise in our community, as the police have been saying, and [Fowler] was trying to send a message to people who would do [these] acts of terror on innocent homeowners," Steeves told CBC News after the hearing.

Court was told that Lewis has a lengthy criminal record, with more than 100 convictions listed in a document that is 29 pages long.

The judge told Lewis he can think ofno rehabilitation program that could help him.

Two menpeoplecharged following the home invasion are awaiting trial. A third has evaded capture.

Fowler also sentencedLewis to nine months in jail for each of two breaches of his probation. However, the effect of those sentences is moot because of the time thatLewis has already served in custody.

Six other charges against Lewis had been stayed, including assault and forcible confinement.