ESTEVAN — A third man has been sentenced for his role in a home invasion incident that occurred in Estevan 2 1/2 years ago.
Billie John David Bertram was sentenced May 7 in Estevan Provincial Court to 21 months in custody and 15 months probation for his role in the attack that left two people injured, after pleading guilty to one count each of aggravated assault, forcible confinement and uttering threats to cause bodily harm. He also pleaded guilty to one count of violating the terms of a release order.
Other charges were stayed, including possession of property obtained by crime, theft, and violating the terms of a release order.
As per the joint submission from Crown and defence attorneys, Bertram received a sentence of 21 months, or 630 days, on the three charges stemming from the home invasion. He has been in custody since he was arrested in Alberta and returned to Saskatchewan on Sept. 29, 2025, which amounts to 221 actual days or 332 days with remand credit. Bertram has 298 days left to serve.
He also received a 30-day concurrent sentence for violating the release order.
His probation will have standard terms, and Crown prosecutor Travis Avery said the intent is to keep victim safety top of mind.
Both attorneys noted Bertram had a criminal record before the incident.
Avery told the court that on Nov. 7, 2023, members of the Estevan Police Service were dispatched to a residence in response to an assault. Avery noted one of the victims said four people had entered the apartment and “beat him up” over a drug debt, as they used to sell cocaine for the group. Also, Avery said a victim noted he was struck with a metal bat by Bertram.
One the victims suffered a broken orbital bone, Avery said, while the other had two broken ribs and a significant facial haematoma.
Avery said Bertram was later arrested at a location on 12th Avenue, and search warrants were carried out at four residences. He added recorded calls from the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre were obtained of Bertram discussing the co-accused people and the victims.
One co-accused, Nathan Mangaard, was given a 3 1/2-year prison sentence for his role in the incident, while the other, Bradley Williams, was given a 21-month sentence in connection with the incident and a drug trafficking charge.
Charges against the other co-accused were stayed after he died in a collision in 2024.
“Although it is a substantial step up from any prior conviction for violence-related offences for Mr. Bertram … we also have the benefit of parity in this circumstance because Mr. Mangaard and Mr. Williams have already both been sentenced in this matter," Avery said.
He added Bertram was not the brains of the home invasion operation, and was not the worst offender of the violence.
When given the chance to speak, Bertram, who appeared by video, said he won’t associate with anybody affiliated with that culture. He said he knows where he went wrong, he feels regret and he wants to do better.
Bertram’s attorney Jake Chadi noted Bertram was born in Regina in 1988 and lived most of his life in Saskatchewan's capital city. Bertram studied at Sask Polytechnic, and is a Red Seal deep pressure welder who has earned good money.
"I have no idea what the heck goes through this man’s mind to … piss around with this garbage that he’s involved in,” said Chadi. “Billie’s a hard worker. He’s worked for a number of years."
Chadi noted once Bertram is released from custody, Bertram plans to return to northern Alberta, where there is demand for someone with his abilities.
In accepting the submission, Judge Mitch Miller said Bertram is smart and well spoken, and it’s not too late to turn his life around.
He added if Bertram has any more offences involving violence, Bertram will be looking at some “serious time” in custody.
