A high-risk Winnipeg auto thief who deliberately smashed several police cars while trying to flee in a stolen Hummer was sentenced to 55 days in jail Thursday -- a far cry from the Crown's request for him to serve another year behind bars.
Jordan Prince, 19, was given double-time credit for the nine months he has spent behind bars following his arrest last summer, making his sentence 20 months on paper.
Provincial court Judge Brian Corrin rejected the Crown's bid for a total 30-month penalty -- despite saying it appears Prince is determined to live a "lawless lifestyle" and that he "has demonstrated little regard for the justice system."
"Serious injury or death of a police officer was only a hair's breadth away," Corrin said in describing Prince's most recent brush with the law.
Prince is a Level 4 car thief, who was only a few days into his probation when undercover officers saw him getting inside the stolen vehicle bearing Alberta licence plates, court was told.
Three cruiser cars quickly tried to box Prince in by surrounding the Hummer, but Prince responded by throwing the vehicle into gear and hitting the gas.
He struck two of the vehicles while shifting between forward and reverse in an attempt to escape. Police eventually pulled Prince out of the vehicle at gunpoint.
Defence lawyer Jeff Nichols said his client was the only one injured, suffering a scraped face while being knocked to the ground.
Nichols said police shouldn't have been surprised by the violent encounter.
"The officers are aware of the fact there might be contact when they try to box someone in like that," he said.
Crown attorney Deann Sahulka told court anything less than a substantial penitentiary sentence would send the wrong message to police and the public.
"Police officers in this community don't deserve to be made into targets by young people driving stolen vehicles," she said.
"The courts need to ensure the safety of our officers."
The Crown has 30 days to decide whether to appeal.
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