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This article was published 12/9/2014 (2200 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg gang associate has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the attempted carjacking of a stranger he happened to spot sitting in a parked vehicle.

Terrence Hanska, 24, was found guilty earlier this year of several charges including robbery with a firearm, pointing a firearm and uttering threats. He was acquitted of a more serious charge of attempted murder.

Hanska returned to court Friday for his sentencing hearing. The Crown was seeking a 10-year penalty, while defence lawyer Martin Glazer called that "overkill" and requested five and a half years behind bars.

"The aggravating factors here are particularly serious," Queen’s Bench Justice Chris Martin said Friday.

Hanska attacked the 56-year-old man in the 1900 block of William Avenue West in May 2012. The victim was sitting inside his truck, and Hanska used a hammer to smash the window. He pulled out a handgun and allegedly pulled the trigger -- but the weapon didn't discharge.

The victim reported hearing a clicking sound that formed the basis of the attempted murder charge.

Hanska testified in his own defence and claimed the gun wasn't loaded and he never tried to fire it. A firearms expert also testified the noise could have been any number of the gun's components that don't involve pulling the trigger.

The victim fled and had no major physical injuries. In fact, Hanska ended up taking a beating when the victim’s wife came out to assist him, armed with a baseball bat, and struck him several times.

Hanska was arrested later that night with help from the police helicopter. He was spotted hiding in a yard. He has been in custody ever since.

Hanska still faces another set of serious criminal charges -- including attempted murder -- for a home invasion that allegedly occurred hours before the attempted carjacking. Those allegations have not been proven and he is presumed innocent.

www.mikeoncrime.com