Greg Jones has been sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 10 years. (CBC)

A Rosetown, Sask. man is heading to prison for the murder of a 64-year-old group home resident.

On Thursday, Greg Ross Jones pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Delbert Stephenson in June, 2009.

Court heard that Jones, who is in his 20s, had been drinking rum and beer on the day of the murder.

He encountered Stephenson, who was cognitively impaired, and proceeded to rob him and beat him.

Delbert Stephenson, 64, was found dead in a ditch in Rosetown.

Jones, who according to the Crown prosecutor has the intellectual capabilities of a 12-year-old, took Stephenson's clothes and then kicked him to death, court heard.

"It was blunt force trauma to the head which caused the death of Mr. Stephenson," prosecutor Frank Impey said.

Stephenson, who worked at a local recycling centre, was found dead in a ditch.

Jones was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years. Stephenson's sister Clarice Duncan said the sentence brings closure to the families involved.

" I thought it would be so difficult to see Greg Jones, to see his face and everything, but you know, I feel bad for him too," Duncan said. "I feel bad for his family. It's a bad thing for everyone."

Stephenson was a kind and gentle soul, Duncan said.

Rosetown is about 114 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon.