Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Dylan Giovanetti, 21, broke into four houses and stole five cars while serving parole between April and July this year.

Two of the burglary victims were Giovanetti's neighbours - one having died before the robbery.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Clint Prebble told the court Giovanetti and his co-offenders stole a variety of property from the houses and cars, including televisions, DVD players, jewellery and power tools.

More than $6000 worth of stolen goods were not recovered.

Sen Const Prebble said Giovanetti was arrested on July 21 after police located stolen property at a house in Errard St Sth, Ballarat.

Giovanetti was on parole at the time of the offences, having been sentenced to 14 months jail with a non-parole period of six months in Ballarat Magistrates Court last October.

Giovanetti, formerly of Drummond St, yesterday pleaded guilty to 25 charges, including burglary, theft, theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Defence lawyer Mike Wardell told the court his client was the eldest of four children and considered himself the "black sheep" of his family.

He said Giovanetti left school in Year 10, and after several different stints of employment left home and started using drugs.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan convicted and sentenced Giovanetti to 15 months jail with a non-parole period of eight months.

He was also fined $250, disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay $6350 compensation.

Giovanetti has already served 41 days in custody.