A 20-year-old Blacksburg man was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison Monday in Cherokee County General Sessions Court after admitting his involvement in a June 2008 home invasion.

Steven Michael Mullinax, of Bedford Lane, pleaded guilty before Circuit Court Judge Mark Hayes to charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and common law robbery.

A co-defendant, Devin Lee Eudy, 20, of Faith Road, Gaffney, pleaded guilty to the same offenses March 19 and was sentenced by Judge Hayes to 15 years, court records show.

Eudy and Mullinax were charged last year by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office with forcibly entering a home on Blue Branch Road and robbing and assaulting a man who lived there.

Assistant Seventh Circuit Solicitor Michael Morin, who prosecuted the case, said the resident fought back during the incident and struck Mullinax in the head with a hammer.

Police made arrests after Mullinax was taken to Mary Black Hospital to be treated, Morin said.

"I just couldn't believe something like that would happen," the victim's son told Judge Hayes during the hearing. The victim has since died. His death was unrelated to the home invasion.

Mullinax's attorney said his client had a difficult childhood and had been working hard to straighten out his life. He further said Mullinax would have opportunities for two jobs if sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act and was released from custody.

"From the moment I (first) met with my client he's been extremely polite and remorseful," the defense attorney said, further claiming the incident would never have happened if Mullinax had not met with Eudy that day.

Mullinax denied that he went into the home to steal jewelry but acknowledged that he was there. He pleaded with the court and the victim's family for mercy.