Brandon Coady has been sentenced to six years for the attempted murder of Taylor King.

On Monday morning in Supreme Court, Justice Vikas Khaladkar said he felt Coady was "truly remorseful" for breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house on Feb. 17, 2017, and stabbing King 10 times after finding him sleeping in her bed.

Coady, 24, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder charge on Friday, in exchange for the Crown dismissing charges of aggravated assault, breaking and entering, and uttering threats.

The Crown and defence presented Khaladkar with a joint submission, suggesting Coady serve six years in prison. In his ruling Monday morning, he said it was an acceptable punishment.

Coady was flanked by family members for the appearance, with more than two dozen loved ones in attendance. Some cried and wiped tears from their eyes after the sentence was handed down.

Plea deal avoids possible hurdles

He also shed light on why Coady pleaded guilty the same week his trial was supposed to take place. Crown prosecutor Jeff Summers was having difficulty getting Coady's ex-girlfriend — a key witness — to testify. The trial would also have placed a huge strain on King, who is still struggling with his mental health after the attack.

King says he's been told he will never gain back full mobility in his hand, after being stabbed 10 times, including three times in his left arm. (Ted Dillon/Sherry Vivian/CBC)

As for the defence, Khaladkar indicated Coady's lawyer, Randy Pearcey, was going to pursue a "not criminally responsible" strategy, but wasn't sure they had enough to prove it.

He said Coady was placed on a new medication before the attack, which may have caused suicidal and homicidal thoughts.

In the end, they reached a deal to avoid a trial.

As part of his sentence, Coady will be banned from possessing firearms for 10 years. He will also have to give a DNA sample and is forbidden from having any contact with the victim or the witness.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador