Article content

Ian Bursey won’t be cutting through his neighbour’s backyard anytime soon.

The last time he did — July 3, 2016 — he was arrested and charged with attempted murder after firing a handgun into the air. On Monday he was sent to prison for two years after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of possession of a loaded prohibited gun.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Failed city council candidate jailed for firing handgun in neighbour's yard Back to video

It was a Sunday night, and after drinking at home, the failed Ottawa city council candidate — he ran against Barrhaven powerhouse Jan Harder in 2014 — left his home to get a pack of smokes at the gas station. He brought money — and a loaded gun.

He cut through a neighbour’s backyard. It’s big and wooded. The neighbour was outside when Bursey, 50, cut through his property around 10 p.m. The neighbour approached Bursey, who pulled a handgun — a Second World War collectible — and fired it into the air.

The neighbour charged Bursey and knocked him down. The neighbour’s wife called 911 while her husband took care of Bursey, who was left with a bloodied face, nose and a black eye. Bursey was taken to hospital for treatment and arrested upon release. Bursey was originally charged with a slew of offences but his defence lawyer Brett McGarry negotiated a deal that saw his client, who had no prior criminal record, plead guilty to the single firearms offence.