Man finally sentenced after avoiding prison time by faking sick

A career criminal convicted of sticking up a Midwestern missionary just days after he was released from a long prison term for robbery faked being sick Wednesday to avoid being sentenced – but a stern Brooklyn judge ignored his ploy and threw the ex-con behind bars “for the rest of his life.”

Michael Dingle, 53, who had already used the same trick to postpone his punishment three times – was sentenced to 60 years to life behind bars.

“If he’s too sick to walk we’ll find a wheelchair for him and we can roll him right up,” said Brooklyn Supreme Court judge Vincent Del Giudice, speaking towards the empty chair where the truant thug was supposed to be sitting.

“He is trying to game the system, to play the system, and I will not allow that,” the judge said, adding that Rikers Island doctors pronounced Dingle healthy enough to come to court.

Michael Dingle’s attorney Robert Nicholson addresses the court while Dingle refused to show up for his sentencing at Brooklyn Supreme Court.Photo: Byron Smith

Dingle even refused to see his attorney and told a court officer that, “He was not feeling well and could hardly walk.”

The ex-con was released from an upstate prison June 21, 2013 – and just two days later he started a three-day Brooklyn robbery spree that ended with three terrified victims, court papers state.

“It’s unfortunate that Mr. Dingle decided not to be present because he should have been here to hear some of these words. I would have told him he is a burden and a menace to all decent members of society,” Del Giudice said.

“One of his victims was a young missionary who came from the Midwest to work in underprivileged parts of our city. These are the types of people he preyed on.”

Dingle has been convicted of 10 felonies and spent half his life in prison and prison records show he has several felony robbery convictions, prosecutors said in court Wednesday.

“He is incapable of being rehabilitated,” said Brooklyn prosecutor Natalie Pagano. “He is a danger to society.”

Defense attorney Robert Nicholson said Dingle maintains his innocence.

“These people were not in danger. It was more like a con,” Nicholson said, referring to how Dingle put his hand in his pocket and told his victims he had a gun.

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