DETROIT: A 61-year-old homeless bank robber who told police he wanted to be arrested so he could have food and shelter inspired his prosecutor to make the rare move of asking for leniency.

Calling bank robber Lawrence Lawson a "courteous bandit," prosecutor David Gorcyca said he was caught up in Michigan's "devastating economic climate" and asked the public for help in finding Lawson a job.

"His intention was to get caught," Mr. Gorcyca said after Tuesday's sentencing. "He did not want to be homeless."

Lawson pleaded guilty on April 10 to one count of bank robbery. The judge sentenced him to a year in jail with credit for 291 days served. Lawson will be eligible for release on May 13, according to his attorney, Todd Kaluzny.

Mr. Kaluzny said his client's life was on a downward spiral since being fired. He said the fact that Lawson did not brandish his holstered weapon, then laid down and closed his eyes after taking $4,900 from a bank teller suggested he had other motives.

"I think justice was served in this case," Mr. Kaluzny said. But the University of Michigan law professor Rich Friedman called Mr. Gorcyca's arguments for releasing Lawson "inappropriate." "I think to say he's not a danger to do it again argues in favour of a diminished sentence," Prof. Friedman said.

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