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“Hakimzadah wanted the lawyer murdered in spectacular fashion in front of the University Ave., courthouse (where family trials are held). If that’s not the worst offence, it’s close to it.

“It would have a huge chilling effect on family-law lawyers,” he said, adding that these “egregious” crimes demand “the strongest denunciation.”

Goldstein said he would have imposed an 11- or 12-year sentence against Hakimzadah, but the term was reduced because of the painful physical back injuries and the profound mental deterioration he has suffered in custody since November 2016.

The judge found Hakimzadah’s belief that his estranged wife was motivated to divorce him by her lawyer “preposterous.”

Hakimzadah inflicted “significant psychological harm” to his spouse and children, court heard.

The wife — whose identity, along with her lawyer’s is covered by a publication ban — fled with their children to a shelter after he allegedly physically abused one daughter.

But the wife doesn’t want her husband in jail, though she fears he’ll try to kill her once he is freed, said Goldstein. He said she may be suffering from Stockholm syndrome,which is defined as a condition in which hostages develop psychological bonds with their captors during captivity.

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Hakimzadah never abandoned the murder plots, but put them on hold while he waited to see if the “hitman” would deliver on planting the drugs and gun in his estranged wife’s car, Goldstein said.

The judge said Hakimzadah is clearly a misogynist who targeted his wife, her female lawyer and his daughters.

spazzano@postmedia.com