A 60-year-old man in Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, has been sentenced after robbing a supermarket at gunpoint in a bizarre attempt to get imprisoned alongside his grandson.

The incident occurred in late September in Sainte-Rose, a commune in northern Guadeloupe.

According to Oddity Central, the man, a retired firefighter with no previous criminal record, stormed a supermarket located close to a police station while wearing a balaclava and wielding a firearm.

He reportedly demanded cash from the cashier, but instead of taking the money, he picked up a piece of Emmental cheese and a bottle of wine before leaving the store.

He was arrested moments later as he walked calmly back to his car.

Investigators later discovered that his motive was not financial gain but a desperate attempt to be incarcerated so he could look after his grandson, who is serving a sentence in prison.

The suspect’s lawyer, Léa Le Chevillier, told Agence France-Presse that her client acted out of fear after learning his grandson had been assaulted behind bars.

“He wasn’t interested in money. He simply wanted to get into prison to protect his grandson,” Le Chevillier said.

He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and resisting arrest, and admitted to the offences in court.

However, the presiding judge described the case as “completely unprecedented” and chose not to impose a lengthy prison term.

Instead, the court ordered him to compensate the supermarket, undergo psychological treatment, and stay away from the shopping centre he robbed. He will still be permitted to visit his grandson through official arrangements.