A Yukon territorial court judge has sentenced a 20-year-old Watson Lake man to nearly a year in jail after he drank himself "to oblivion” and participated in a gang beating, amounting to aggravated assault.

In his ruling, the judge called the act "an inexplicable offence.”

He also commented on the stricter sentencing options he was limited to in the wake of the federal government's tough-on-crime agenda, which reduces judicial discretion in criminal cases.

James Magun, Jr. was "drinking heavily” with two youth and two adults at the skatepark in Watson Lake on Sept. 15, 2012. The group decided to thumb a ride.

"They were picked up by Nevada Vance hitchhiking and they decided, with no provocation and with no reason, to beat him up,” Judge Michael Cozens said in his decision.

The passengers suggested he pull over in front of the house of Gordon Dickson. A man with the last name of Charlie then tripped Vance — his uncle — while Magun, who supposedly came up with the scheme, said, "Let's gang him.”

"The beating started in the yard and Mr. Vance was crawling towards Mr. Dickson's house,” Cozens said.

Dickson emerged from his home and helped Vance inside.

"However, the assault continued as the individuals, without Mr. Dickson's permission, entered into the house and continued to beat Mr. Vance.”

Dickson called the RCMP and told the assailants officers were en route. The five perpetrators began to walk away.

"While they were leaving, the two youth caused considerable damage to Mr. Vance's van.”

The judge called the injuries to the victim "severe and significant. He recalls having to push his eye back into the socket as it had partially come out, and that was while he was crawling to the house.”

Vance's gruesome recollection is backed up by medical evidence: a severe orbital fracture to his eye.

He suffered a concussion, blood clot and "badly lacerated lip which required extensive medical intervention,” notes the ruling from March.

"His eye placement has never returned to normal.”

Vance may require surgery to repair a damaged tear duct.

On top of the assault, Magun breached the terms of his bail on Feb. 21 when he started drinking — he was under an alcohol ban — and tried to start a fight with his father.

The judge noted Magun was 18 when the incident occurred and has no criminal history.

"He is a young First Nations individual whose antecedents frankly provided a completely different picture of the young man who was involved in this absolutely horrific crime.”

Cozens pointed out the numerous letters of support from Magun's educators, co-workers and family and community members.

"It is an absolutely inexplicable offence for this young man to have committed,” he said.

"Magun comes from a family that supports him. He does not come from the kind of dysfunctional home that we often see,” Cozens added.

The judge also addressed the relative rigidity of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Truth and Sentencing Act, which came into effect in 2010 and upped mandatory minimums, among other provisions.

"I do not have the option before me of a conditional sentence that can be served in the community, due to the amendments to the Criminal Code that have removed that option from me,” Cozens said.

"It may have been that a conditional sentence of a longer period with strict terms could have served the principles of denunciation, deterrence and rehabilitation, but, as I said, that is not an option that is before me.”

Magun received 10 months for aggravated assault and an additional 45 days for the bail breach, minus 21 days for time served in pre-trial custody.

Magun will be subject to a three-year probation on release.

He must abstain from alcohol and drug possession and consumption, avoid bars and off-sales, and take psychological assessment counselling as directed by his probation officer.

A no-contact order with the victim and 100 hours of community counselling will also be required.

Curbing the typical 10-year mandatory firearms ban, the judge authorized authorities to issue Magun a licence to possess a rifle "for the purpose of sustenance hunting.”

Magun hunts seasonally to provide food for his family and elders in the community.

Cozens added that "people who by all accounts seem to be positive members of the community but drink very heavily do not tend to commit these kinds of offences.”

Charlie pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in March 2013.