Man pleads guilty to home invasion charges

Rene Seers has pleaded guilty to break and enter with robbery and breaching a court order to keep the peace following a home invasion in 2009 where a 60-year-old man was beaten.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary arrested Seers, 30,days aftera home was invaded on MacKenzie Street in the east end of St. John's in April 2009, in which a group of men burst into a home after a woman living there had opened the door.

A 60-year-old man was beaten, and the invaders made threats using a gun and a hammer. Court has been told the invaders were seeking a substantial sum of cash.

On Wednesday, Judge Carl Thompsonasked Seersif he understood that the maximum sentence for breaking into a dwelling house is life in prison. Seers said "yes." Thompson asked him if he still wanted to plead guilty.Seers replied "yes"again.

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

Two other men Gordon Bishop, 27,has been acquitted and Stephen Clowe is expected to be sentenced later in November. Clowe wasarrested in Calgary in Juneafter evading authorities for almost two years.

Seers is scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing on November 21.