NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the death of a 49-year-old woman in her home last year in New Westminster, B.C.

Carlo Tobias, who is 22, was originally charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to one count each of manslaughter and being an accessory after the fact in the death of Ma Cecilia Loreto.

The defence and Crown counsel submitted a joint recommendation of a 10-year sentence, minus 18 months for time served, which Judge Peter La Prairie of the B.C. provincial court agreed to.

An agreed statement of facts read in court by Crown counsel Jay Fogel said Loreto was killed on March 17, 2021, before her burned body was found in Burnaby's Greentree Village Park the next day.

A youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with first-degree murder.

The agreed statement of facts says on the day Loreto was killed, Tobias punched her in the face at her home, rendering her unconscious, but he did not take part in stabbing Loreto afterwards.

"These stab wounds caused Ma Loreto’s death,” Fogel told the court. "Mr. Tobias did not participate in the stabbing. His involvement in the killing was limited to this punch."

Fogel read a victim impact statement from Loreto's sister that said some activities like playing music no longer make her happy as they remind her of her sibling.

"This loneliness has crushed my heart," the statement said.

Tobias did not address the court but his lawyer, Matthew Nathanson, conveyed his client's remorse and apologies to Loreto's family.

Nathanson said his client turned himself in and his plea saved the court from a lengthy trial that would have subjected Loreto's family to more trauma.

"He accepts full responsibility of his actions," Nathanson said.

"Not only did he turn himself in to the police … he gave a full confession."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2022.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the defence lawyer is William Nathanson.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2022