MCKINNEY (1080 KRLD) - A serial home invader will likely be spending the rest of his life behind bars.
On March 26th, Thong Pham, 54, of Garland broke into a Wylie couple's home as they were sleeping.
During this home invasion, Pham stabbed the husband and the couple's dog before fleeing.
"The guy had gotten a knife from their own counter," says Greg Willis, Collin County criminal district attorney.
Pham was convicted during trial; and in the penalty phase, the jury learned that this was by no means Pham's first time.
"This guy had broken into home and Dallas and got caught years ago (and) got on probation; and even before that, he had sexually assaulted a child," says Willis. "Knowing that somebody is breaking into your home who's a child predator as well, it's very disconcerting."
With this information, the jury sentenced Pham to 99 years in prison.
He'll be eligible for parole in 30 years, when he's 84.
"He's a dangerous guy (who is) going to hurt anyone if he sees any benefit in it," says Willis. "So we're really relieved that the jury put them away."
As for the man and dog who were stabbed, their physical wounds are healed.
"They're still scarred from the experience," Willis says, "but they have recovered from their injuries."
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