A Ballarat magistrate has told a 36-year-old man he hoped he felt a sense of shame for burgling a Humffray Street home while children were inside.
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John Anderson, of no fixed address, attended the home on September 24, 2017, where he tried to steal a television in the family's caravan.
He then gained access to the garage and loaded a Nissan Navara with items including power tools, gardening equipment and alcohol before driving off.
Anderson parked the stolen vehicle in Adair Street and a witness posted a photo of it on social media, leading to his arrest. The damage caused and stolen items amounted to $6800.
"The offending in Ballarat has caused immense pain and suffering for a family who today struggle to get over how you impinged on their happy life and took away their sense of security and trust in their community," magistrate Gregory Robinson told Anderson at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
"Everyone is entitled to feel safe in their own home and for you to violate that … it just shows a callous act.
"I hope you feel a sense of shame you committed that act on a home that had children in it."
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Steve Kent said the fact the victims were in court showed this was a manifestation of the impact these serious crimes had on people.
It was one of a series of dishonesty offences spanning six months from July 2017 to January 2018 while Anderson was on a community corrections order.
He stole two speakers from the Good Guys in June, 2017, while a month later on July 30, he broke into and ransacked Ballarat Community Health in Sebastopol, causing $1030 damage and stealing $15..
On January 12, 2018, Anderson used a Lions Club cheque to withdraw $3600.
In sentencing Anderson, Mr Robinson took into account his "horrendous" childhood, which included drug use.
"That type of dysfunctional upbringing sets you up on a very difficult path in life," he said.
But Mr Robinson said Anderson was now 36 and his childhood was now a long way behind.
The court was told Anderson had committed burglaries, thefts and an armed robbery across eastern Australia.
Anderson, who pleaded guilty to a string of dishonesty charges including burglary and theft, was sentenced to 29 months in jail with a non-parole period of 18 months.
He has already served 288 days in custody.