A Behchoko man with a history of violence was handed a two-year, eight month sentence for a SA国际影视传媒渧iciousSA国际影视传媒� attack at a house party that left a man seriously wounded.

Joey Chocolate, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault causing disfigurement in a Yellowknife courtroom last week.

A 14-person jury was waiting in the wings last Tuesday to begin Chocolate's trial, who was charged alongside his father. But before jurors could take their seats, Chocolate SA国际影视传媒� after appearing to painfully mull over the decision for almost half an hour SA国际影视传媒� changed his plea to guilty.

The jury was discharged, and the Crown stayed all charges against Chocolate's father, who patted his son on the back as he left the courtroom.

Chocolate stayed SA国际影视传媒� now convicted of aggravated assault following his plea.

In April of last year, Chocolate was drinking with friends at his father's residence in Behchoko when a woman at the party didn't want another man to go back to her home because he was intoxicated. Chocolate intervened and tried to get the man to stay. The man then pushed Chocolate, who responded with extreme violence.

He punched the male victim several times in the head before throwing him onto a bed. Chocolate choked the man until the victim lost consciousness and fell on the floor.

The man sustained lacerations and bruising to his face and head. He was transported to Yellowknife where he received stitches and had staples placed in his head.

Chocolate has 14 convictions for violent offences. In 2010, he received a three-year sentence for a sexual assault and was convicted of assault with a weapon the same year.

Crown prosecutor Marth Chertkow told the court Chocolate's victim SA国际影视传媒� who is permanently scarred from the attack SA国际影视传媒� is reminded of the assault SA国际影视传媒渆very time he looks in the mirror.SA国际影视传媒�

Chocolate's lawyer, Peter Harte, said his client's SA国际影视传媒渃haotic and traumatic childhood,SA国际影视传媒� brought him before the courts.

Chocolate's home life was tumultuous, with his parents often drinking and partying while he was a young child.

SA国际影视传媒淗e felt like he had no family SA国际影视传媒� like he wasn't loved,SA国际影视传媒� said Harte.

By the time he was 12, Chocolate had been in 17 different foster homes in and around Behchoko.

Chocolate's early trauma was compacted, Harte said, by behavioural issues SA国际影视传媒� like hyperactivity SA国际影视传媒� that were out of his control.

He was routinely suspended from school, and turned to alcohol and drugs at the age of 11. Chocolate was discharged from a treatment facility at 14, but Harte said he simply didn't receive the resources he needed post-release. At 15 he received his first criminal conviction.

Harte and the Crown put forth a joint-sentencing submission, both calling for a 32-month sentence.

SA国际影视传媒淚t would be a mistake to give up hope,SA国际影视传媒� said Harte.

On Wednesday, during Chocolate's sentencing hearing, Justice Julie Thorburn agreed.

She called the act of violence a SA国际影视传媒渧iciousSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒渧ery serious overreaction,SA国际影视传媒� but said the SA国际影视传媒渟orry circumstancesSA国际影视传媒� of Chocolate's life aren't his fault.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou need to understand that the hurt and sadness of your youth aren't your fault,SA国际影视传媒� said Thorburn.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat is your fault is the attack.SA国际影视传媒�

Fighting back tears, Chocolate told the court he wanted to change his life and get back to his young daughter.

SA国际影视传媒淏e the dad to your daughter that your dad couldn't be for you,SA国际影视传媒� said Thorburn.

Thorburn accepted the 32-month joint submission. With credit for time served in pre-sentence custody, Chocolate, who has been behind bars since his arrest last year, will have eight more months left to serve. Once released, he cannot contact the victim and is barred from possessing firearms for 10 years.