The man who stabbed Vic Fraser to death more than a decade ago will have to spend at least 15 years in prison before he's eligible to apply for parole.

Gary Johnston was found guilty of second-degree murder earlier this year for killing Fraser when the 43-year-old truck driver caught him in the act of robbing his sister's home in March 1998. Johnston stabbed Fraser nine times in the neck.

The murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, and a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled Thursday that Johnston will not be eligible for parole for 17 years, giving him credit for two years and a month already served in jail.

Crown prosecutor Lothar Kiner told reporters outside the court that he was "very happy" with the sentence, noting that the ailing Johnston will be 67 years old by the time he has any chance of getting out of prison.

"My suspicion is that he won't be ever getting out on the street again," Kiner said.

Prosecutors had recommended that Johnston spend between 17 and 21 years in prison before he can apply for parole.

When Johnston was finally arrested in connection with Fraser's murder a full 11 years after the slaying, he was out on parole for an unconnected manslaughter conviction and living in Montreal.

Kiner said the killer's past suggests there is very little chance of rehabilitation, and added that videos shown during the trial of Johnston speaking with undercover officers portray a man with no remorse.

"The man has no conscience and has no scruples, and is in it for the thrill," Kiner said.

The victim's sister Jeanie Fraser struggled to find the words to describe how she was feeling after the judge's decision was handed down.

"I'm still numb," she said, choking back tears.

"I hope that I can find a positive attitude again. I've been so negative for so many years."

Police say Johnston's name surfaced early in the murder investigation, but officers weren't able to compile enough evidence to recommend charges until Surrey RCMP set up an unsolved homicide unit in 2005.

That development led to new information, and Johnston eventually confessed the killing to an undercover cop posing as a crime boss.

Both Jeanie Fraser and Kiner had only glowing praise for the police officers who stuck with the investigation over so many years.

"Never give up on our RCMP. Never. These people are so dedicated to their jobs," Fraser said.

"I can't say enough good things about what the police did in this case," Kiner said.

"They did a fabulous job."