There's hardly ever a Lighter Side to crime, but this one takes the Ironic Justice award.

When Lawrence Riddle robbed the Bank of Labor in Kansas City he was hoping to go to prison. Why? After his arrest, Riddle told authorities that he'd rather be in jail than at home with his wife.

So he robbed a bank Old School style -  just like in a vintage black-and-white movie. He gave the teller a note that said "I have a gun, give me money." The teller promptly gave him all the cash in her drawer - about $3,000. But instead of jumping into a fast getaway car, he sat down in the lobby waiting for the police to collect him.

In court this week both Riddle's lawyer and federal prosecutors asked for leniency because Mr. Riddle had been suffering from severe depression after having heart surgery. Plus, all the police found on his person was a hair brush and some nail clippers - no gun. Then Riddle apologized, telling the judge that he never intended to frighten the teller. He also testified that he was feeling like his "old self" again after getting treatment for his depression.

Robbing a bank without doing some prison time is almost unheard of. But in a rare move, the U.S. District Court granted leniency - sort of. Mr. Riddle was sentenced to 3 years probation, 50 hours of community service, and six months house arrest by Judge Carlos Murguia - whose sense of justice is apparently as keen as his sense of irony.

Your "Don't Do the Crime if You Can't Do the Time" Gift Guru,
Linda