Judge Arthur C. Hadden told a Bridgeport man convicted of attempting to rob an 81-year-old woman at knifepoint in a garage elevator at Mohegan Sun casino in March 2012 that he "terrified" the victim, who undoubtedly will live with the trauma for the rest of her life.

Hadden sentenced the would-be robber, Winston A. Riley, 28, to six years in prison on Thursday.

Riley was convicted during a two-day trial in May. The six-person jury found him guilty of attempted first-degree robbery, second-degree threatening, attempted second-degree larceny and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Hadden said Riley's crime was in stark contrast to his everyday life, adding that he had no criminal history, is educated and owned his own business.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Stephen M. Carney asked the court for a significant sentence. Riley faced at least 20 years on the robbery charge alone.

"I would be remiss if I did not remind the court that this is just not any victim, but an elderly woman who was particularly vulnerable," Carney said.

Shortly after Riley's arrest, his defense had said it would explore a sleepwalking medical defense, saying he could have committed the crime while still in slumber. The strategy, however, was not pursued during the trial.

At trial, Riley testified that he went to the casino to gamble. He then unsuccessfully attempted to retrieve money from an ATM. Riley said he went to sleep in his car and decided to rob someone after he woke up.

He took a knife that was in his car and followed the elderly woman into the elevator in the parking garage. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

Riley testified that he had a change of heart and didn't go through with the robbery because he felt bad for the woman.

The prosecution, however, contended that Riley did not go through with the robbery because the woman refused to hand over her purse.

Defense attorney Tina Sypek D'Amato said the crime was completely out of character for Riley, who had at the time recently entered the U.S. military. She said the crime was motivated by a growing gambling addiction.

Sypek D'Amato said that Riley had fulfilled his American dream and, based on his tax returns, had no reason to commit the crime.

"That success of the American dream led to some temptations and the addiction of the casino," Sypek D'Amato said. "It went from 'I hope to get rich' to 'I hope I get my money back.'"

Riley, a native of Jamaica, did not speak on his own behalf during the sentencing. After he completes his prison term, he will be deported to his homeland.

i.larraneta@theday.com