Adam Gary Hayden has been sentenced to three years, four and half months in jail on charges of robbery and assault with a weapon in relation to an incident at a home in Bay Bulls almost two years ago.
The sentence was handed down today in provincial court in St. John’s by Judge Mike Madden.
Hayden, 25, of Calvert was allowed straight-time credit for the 698 days he's spent in custody which leaves about one year, five months to serve.
He's also banned from having a firearm for life.
In making his decision, Judge Mike Madden took into consideration the fact Hayden has participated in counselling and programming since being behind bars.
"But as admirable as your recent progress has been, this is about protecting society...," Madden said.
"You've proven to be a threat."
Madden also considered Hayden's troubled past, including the fact he witnessed his father commit suicide as a teenager. Hayden also has an extensive criminal record, which includes several violent offences.
"Your past and personal demons help explain (your behaviour), but don't excuse it," Madden said.
The charges were laid as a result of an incident that happened in January 2011 at a Bay Bulls house, where a group of men had gathered to socialize.
Many of the people who were at the house that night testified during the trial that Hayden, who was with another man, came into the house with a baseball bat and demanded money.
They said Hayden hit one of the men in the forehead, over his left eye, before he was given $300 from the man's wallet and left.
The injured man was taken to hospital, where he was treated with stitches. His mother called police and told them Hayden had assaulted her son.
According to Hayden, he and a group of friends had contacted one of the men, who told them they could buy ecstasy pills for $5 each. Hayden had testified he and his friends drove to Bay Bulls, but when they went into the house, they were told the pills were $10 each, instead of $5.
That's when they argued.
At that point, Hayden said, he picked up a baseball bat, which was in the house. And when one of the men stood up to get in his way, Hayden nudged him back with the handle of the bat.
Hayden said he then swung the bat downwards on the back of the couch.
He said he then saw the ecstasy pills on the table in a bag, grabbed them and left. He said he threw the bat in the back of the car.
He said he didn't demand money.
