Jordan Hunt was sentenced at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Friday for 29 offences committed over a period of 16 months.

The charges included criminal damage, multiple thefts and thefts from cars, handling stolen goods including number plates, drug possession and committing offences while on bail.

He pleaded guilty to six charges of obtaining property by deception including the fraudulent use of credit cards.

Magistrate Ron Saines said Hunt's persistent criminality continued after being released on bail, which aggravated the seriousness of the offending.

The court heard Hunt, 35, had a long prior criminal history of similar offending and of breaching court orders.

Mr Saines said a psychologist described Hunt's persistent offending as related to illicit drug use.

"It is obvious you remaining free of drugs is key to maintaining free of offending," he said.

"I have regard to the persistence, premeditation and seriousness of the offending. No sentence other than imprisonment is appropriate."

Mr Saines said the repeated offending meant any sentence must have a strong emphasis on deterrence, denunciation and punishment.

"You must understand if there is ongoing criminality and your interference with the public and their property there will be over time more emphasis on deterrence, punishment and jail," he said.

"It is so plain that for as long as you have a drug habit you will be in the criminal justice system."

Hunt was sentenced to nine months in jail. He has already served almost 150 days in pre-sentence detention.

He will commence a 12-month community corrections order upon his release with drug and mental health treatment and supervision.

Mr Saines said Hunt was fortunate he had family support, a possible job opportunity and a place to stay upon his release.

"A lot of people in your position have nowhere to go after prison... you have a significant opportunity in that regard," he said.

Hunt was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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