A man from Pelican Narrows has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing his grandmother.

Jean Ballantyne was killed during a Christmas celebration that turned violent in the family home in 2010.

Riley Ballantyne, who was 20 at the time, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Court heard Ballantyne has a history of mental health issues and had been drinking heavily the day of the incident.

He will not be eligible for parole for 10 years.