A man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Thursday in east China's Zhejiang Province after he attempted to pry open two ATMs with a pair of scissors.

The man, surnamed Liu, was caught in a bank in Hangzhou City with a pair of folding scissors and a debit card in the early morning on Oct. 18, 2008.

Liu failed to get access to the 308,000 yuan (45,000 U.S. dollars) in cash inside the machines.

The court also ordered Liu to pay a fine of 50,000 yuan.

According to a verdict issued by the Jianggan District People's Court, Liu had been given a mitigated punishment because of his failed attempt and honest confession.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2009)