Former US politican's lawyers say 15-year-old he sexted wanted to affect presidential election

Disgraced former US congressman Anthony Weiner should be spared from prison at his sentencing for sexting with a 15-year-old girl who dreamed about affecting the US presidential election, his lawyers said.

The submission in Manhattan federal court referenced "Anthony's operatic self-destruction", describing the crime as "the final act ... born of deep sickness".