Two failed carjackings and four other robberies have landed a Calgary man an eight-year prison term.

Noting his crimes must have terrorized his victims, provincial court Judge Sandra Hamilton yesterday accepted a joint Crown and defence submission for Leonard Matchett.

She described the six robberies, particularly the botched car-jackings as "absolutely terrifying ordeals."

"To have someone leap into your car to try to forcefully take if from you ... is anyone's worst nightmare," Hamilton said.

Crown prosecutor Rob Bassett said the attempts by Matchett to use violence to steal two separate vehicles occurred in the early evening hours of last Aug. 9.

He said the first happened at a 7-Eleven on 16 Ave. N.E., when Matchett approached a car stopped at a gas pump and went up to passenger Muriel Weir to panhandle.

Matchett, 49, then walked to the driver's side and climbed in, as Weir tried to grab the keys from the ignition.

At that point her husband, Tim, emerged from the store and struggled with Matchett, said Bassett. "The accused stabbed him in the arm with an unknown object," he said.

Matchett fled out the passenger side door and ran westbound on 16 Ave., where he approached a van occupied by Donna Krause and her daughter Mary, which was in the lineup at Peter's Drive-In.

Matchett climbed into the vehicle, but the two victims resisted, forcing him to flee again.

Defence counsel Adriano Iovinelli said his client has battled addiction for some time.

KEVIN.MARTIN@SUNMEDIA.CA