Magistrate Mary Robertson told 25-year-old David Boyd, who pleaded guilty to stealing a ride-on mower from a Clarkes Hill resident, among other charges, his intellectual disability gave him no excuse to rob others.

The Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Boyd went to a Daylesford Road address on July 28 where he stole a number of tractor and steam engine parts, before returning four days later with a co-accused and trailer.

Boyd, who was unlicensed at the time, took off with a number of tools and the ride-on mower.

His car was later found broken down near the Western Freeway with the stolen goods and keys in the ignition.

Fingerprints from both Boyd and the co-accused were found at the scene.

The court also heard a stolen car was found in the driveway of the accused's Sebastopol house on September 26, although he told police four men pushed the car there and he had not touched it.

But Boyd, who was on bail at the time, could not explain why the car's spoiler was inside the house.

His lawyer, Mike Wardell, said his client had an intellectual disability and while he was not suggesting the offending occurred because of it, it had shaped his behaviour.

He told the court the intellectual disability made Boyd impulsive, easily-led and he lacked understanding of the consequences of his actions.

Mr Wardell conceded another community corrections order may be out of the sentencing options after his client pleaded guilty on Tuesday to his seventh contravention over a five-year period.

He added Boyd had spent time in adult prison three times in the past where he ended up associating with seasoned criminals who remained his peers when he was released.

Submitting a parole period was not necessary, Mr Wardell added the offending occurred during the mix of drug use.

Ms Robertson warned Boyd to stay away from the people he had been breaking the law with before sentencing him to 42 days' jail.

"You're not allowed to steal other people's stuff," she said.

"You have an intellectual disability, but that is not an excuse."

Boyd has already served 28 days.