A B.C. man was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison for robbing a Whitehorse convenience store in April 2015.

Wesley Alexander pleaded guilty to the charge, the most recent in a string of offences that dates back to 1996, and includes two robberies and around 20 thefts.

On Wednesday afternoon, Crown prosecutor Eric Marcoux and defence attorney Melissa Atkinson put forward a joint submission.

During sentencing, Marcoux showed surveillance video of the robbery.

In it, Alexander wears a black hoodie as he enters Bernie’s Race Trac Gas Bar on McIntyre Drive.

He walks behind the counter and holds up a lit blowtorch.

Alexander struggles with the clerk for a few seconds before reaching into the till and pocketing more than $700 in bills. Then he flees the store.

Six months later, Alexander was arrested in B.C. on a Canada-wide warrant, and brought back to the Yukon.

On Wednesday, Judge Michael Cozens said the court acknowledged Alexander’s guilty plea – a move that saved a number of days at trial.

“I’ve lived a troubled life,” Alexander told Judge Cozens during sentencing.

“I’ve seen a lot of bad things and I’ve done a lot of bad things.”

He went on to apologize for his actions. He said he was feeling bad for himself on the day in question and started drinking, which led to the robbery.

“I’m ready to do what I have to do to rehabilitate myself,” he said.

Judge Cozens also acknowledged Alexander’s past. That includes many moves, foster families, and physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as an early introduction to drinking and drugs.

He went on to say he believed Alexander is remorseful and still young enough to alter his life for the better.

“You can change your future but you can’t change your past. Changing your future starts today,” the judge said.

Alexander will receive 14 months credit for time served.