A former jail guard has been sentenced to five years in a federal penitentiary for smuggling drugs to inmates at the Regina Correctional Centre.

A jury found Brent Taylor guilty in May of 14 counts, including breach of trust and trafficking cocaine, Demerol, morphine and marijuana.

“It was a stupid mistake I made,” Taylor told a packed courtroom before he was sentenced Monday.

“I apologize to the court, my wife, family (and) friends.”

In his 28-page written decision, Justice Eugene Scheibel said the 10-year prison sentence the Crown had asked for was “excessive.”

However, he also noted that the 3 1/2-year jail term the defence had requested would be too lenient.

As part of his sentence, Taylor was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine in lieu of forfeiture of proceeds of crime, as well a $1,000 victim surcharge. He will also be prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.

The Crown hasn't decided if it will appeal the sentence.