A NOTORIOUS Ballarat criminal who claimed burgling homes was like "going to work", has been jailed for almost six years.
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Aaron Heffernan, 27, stole $153,000 worth of goods in a spate of residential burglaries beginning in January last year.
Sentencing Heffernan to 67 months' jail on Tuesday, County Court Judge Frank Gucciardo said the crime spree had been brazen and premeditated.
"(It was) a social evil which the law regards as serious offending," Judge Gucciardo said
"People should feel safe and secure in their own homes."
Heffernan, who pleaded guilty to 34 counts of burglary, 30 of theft and one of attempted burglary, will be eligible for parole in three years and eight months.
Judge Gucciardo said police connected Heffernan to burglaries in the Ballarat area due to a similar method of entry used each time.
The court heard Heffernan targeted unoccupied homes during the day, often knocking on doors and windows to make sure houses were clear.
Heffernan's plea hearing last week heard an 82-year-old woman was left traumatised after being confronted by Heffernan when he was attempting to ransack her home.
Judge Gucciardo outlined another series of burglaries which Heffernan committed on November 14 last year, shortly after leaving the Ballarat Magistrates Court.
On another occasion in November, Heffernan committed five separate burglaries in one day, making off with $60,000 worth of goods.
The court heard Heffernan often committed burglaries with his girlfriend and on one occasion referred to his crimes as "going to work".
Judge Gucciardo said it was the theft of personal and irreplaceable items which made the offending so despicable.
The judge said many of Heffernan's victims were still traumatised by his offending, adding one family was forced to move home.
Judge Gucciardo said the community could not tolerate the offending and that Heffernan deserved harsh punishment.
Heffernan was also fined $400 in relation to several summary offences, including resisting police arrest.