A career bank robber was sentenced to more than 12¹₂ years in prison Thursday by a federal judge who said, "He just keeps doing it."

Richard Hawes, 50, of New Castle was sentenced to 151 months in prison for the August robbery of Grayson National Bank in Hillsville. U.S. District Court Judge James Turk in Roanoke also ordered Hawes to repay $9,605 he stole in the stickup and $17,000 he still owes from previous robberies.

Hawes blamed the holdup on his bipolar disorder and apologized. He told the judge he hoped to have another chance at a law-abiding life.

Turk said he wouldn't undercut federal sentencing guidelines, noting Hawes' career of robberies -- and getting caught.

The Hillsville bank heist followed convictions for three bank robberies in Blacksburg and Charlottesville in 2001, a Harrisonburg bank robbery in 1996 and an armed robbery in California in 1982.

"He's not a novice at this," admitted Hawes' attorney, Randy Cargill of the federal public defender's office.

In Hillsville, Hawes walked into the bank unarmed, with his shirt up, hat pulled down and wearing sunglasses, Cargill said.

All he told the teller was, "No dye packs, no dye packs," Cargill said.

The teller filled his plastic bag with money and an exploding red dye packet that blew up as Hawes got into his getaway truck outside. He tossed red-stained money as he drove up the interstate, but spent some of the inky bills on a truck payment, wheel rims and groceries, leaving a trail for law enforcers.

Hawes testified he was supporting his elderly mother when his construction job ended and he stopped taking medicine for his biopolar disorder.

"The idea of robbery popped into my head," Hawes said.