Two people were sentenced Friday after a man with a disability was found injured in his Winnipeg apartment last year and later died in hospital.

Aggravated assault charges were originally laid against Bobbi McKay and John Ward, but on Friday they were dropped under a joint recommendation from the defence and the Crown.

In exchange, both of the accused pleaded guilty to theft.

McKay and Ward were first charged after Harvey Sanderson, 27, was found by his caretaker in a pool of blood inside his apartment in late July 2011. His BlackBerry phone and change purse had been stolen.

Sanderson, who had brittle bone disease and was in a wheelchair, was rushed to hospital in critical condition but died a few days later from a massive brain bleed.

Ward and McKay were sentenced in court to time served.

They had been held in custody since Sanderson was found injured last year.

The Crown said there wasn't enough evidence to prove the accused beat Sanderson. No blood was transferred. Autopsy results showed injuries consistent with a fall.

McKay and Ward's stories to police also matched up.

They told officers they met Sanderson after he came home from the bar and that they'd been drinking.

They said they went up to his room for another drink, and then admitted to police to stealing his phone and his wallet.

In court, Judge Rocky Pollack gave his thoughts on those actions.

"Your theft was a shameful disregard of the circumstances of your victim. The phone may have been Mr. Sanderson's only lifeline," said Pollack.

It was suggested that Sanderson was intoxicated and most likely fell - perhaps with his wheelchair hitting the wall while he wasn't strapped in.

But his family disputes that.

"That's not true whatsoever because he always had both straps on all the time," said Helena Harris, Sanderson's sister. Harris spoke with CTV News Winnipeg via phone from The Pas.

Sanderson was known for his positive outlook on life, despite the challenges he faced.

Before the sentencing, the judge asked both the accused if there was anything they wanted to say. McKay simply said she was sorry. Ward uttered one sentence to the family for their loss.

Sanderson's family said those words ring hollow.

"Sorry is not going to bring my brother back," said Harris.

Both Ward and McKay will be on probation for the next year.

In the next five days, they must also check in for addiction assessments.

The Crown is slated to travel to The Pas to visit Sanderson's family to explain the reasoning behind the case.

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley