WAILUKU — A man who was on probation when he broke into his former girlfriend’s apartment while she was sleeping and threatened her with a knife was sentenced Friday to a five-year prison term.

Sterling Elaban Paoa, 28, had asked to be placed on probation, with a plea agreement recommending that he be released early from a one-year jail term to participate in drug treatment.

“I’m very sorry for what I did,” he said in court.

But 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo said Elaban Paoa’s crimes and criminal history didn’t warrant probation.

“The problem is that Mr. Sterling Elaban Paoa’s behavior is anything but sterling,” she said. “It’s more tarnished than anything else.”

At 3 a.m. Aug. 31, 2018, Elaban Paoa broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment through a second-floor window and went into her bedroom, where she was sleeping, police said.

Her 4-year-old and 7-year-old were in bed with her.

Elaban Paoa head-butted the woman at least three times, causing a gash above her left eye, then grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened to stab her, the judge noted.

“I don’t know whether you’re part billy goat or part animal,” Loo said.

The children were crying and told the police that “Uncle Manu came and beat up their mommy.”

Elaban Paoa later told police he had gone to the home to retrieve some clothing.

He had pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree burglary, as well as abuse in the presence of a minor under age 14, first-degree terroristic threatening and interfering with reporting of an emergency or crime.

Judge Loo said Elaban Paoa has 12 criminal convictions, including six for felony offenses.

Elaban Paoa had been on probation since August 2016 in two cases for credit card theft, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, conspiracy to commit second-degree theft, second-degree identity theft and second-degree forgery.

His probation was revoked, and he was resentenced to probation in December 2017. “Eight months later, you’re committing this new set of crimes,” Loo told Elaban Paoa.

She said it was “very, very alarming that these victims, who obviously felt they were safe in their own bed at 3 in the morning,” were subjected to Elaban Paoa’s crimes.

“The little ones had to see their mother beat up,” Loo said. “It clearly is inappropriate for you to remain in the community based on your actions and your history.”

Elaban Paoa’s probation in his earlier two cases was revoked after he admitted he had failed to report to his probation officer, pay fees and restitution, report his employment, perform community service and write an apology letter. He also admitted to using methamphetamine and failing to enroll in a drug treatment program.

He was resentenced to five-year prison terms, to be served at the same time, in his earlier cases.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.