Ex-policeman Edward Pascucci robs bank because he wanted to go to prison for the health care

A former policeman who robbed a bank after falling on hard times has been jailed for five years.

Edward Pascucci admitted the crime - but claimed the reason he had committed it because he wanted to be sent to prison.

He said he was scared of becoming homeless, and wanted to take advantage of the health benefits available inside.

'I should not have manipulated the justice system,' said Pascucci, 54, 'but I couldn’t think of any other way to get help.'

Pascucci, who graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business, served in the armed forces before working as a police officer from 1989.

He resigned from the force when facing accusations of unprofessional conduct in 2006.

In August, he walked in to a bank in Columbus, Georgia carrying an unloaded handgun.

He handed the teller a note reading, 'This is a stick up, hand over the money', and she gave him $1,040.

Pascucci was immediately stopped by a security guard, and then arrested.

He told investigators he was motivated by financial troubles, according to the Ledger-Enquirer, having received no money other than $3,000 given to him by his father.

During his sentencing hearing on Thursday, he told the judge he was suffering from 'severe health problems' and added: 'I didn't want to be homeless.'

Pascucci said he thought would be better off in govement custody than on his own.

He apologised to the bank he robbed, to his former colleagues in the police and to the 'community at large'.

A judge imposed a sentence of five years and three months in prison, with a further three years of supervised release.