Joel Baird, 26, formally pleaded guilty to 18 charges at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Friday after he was given a sentence indication last month.

Baird's offending, which included three car thefts, a burglary and stealing power tools, all occurred in January across Ballarat.

Defence lawyer Manny Brennan said Baird had unfortunately relapsed into drug use at the time of the offending.

"While he has a problem with drugs, he is a man with significant talent and well regarded by his family," Mr Brennan said.

"Unfortunately he relapsed into drugs."

Baird stole a different Ford Courier three times and used one to drive it to a Winter Valley property where he entered a garage and took tools.

He was arrested after January 23 when a witness saw one of the stolen utes on fire and Baird rolling around on the ground. He was treated in hospital for his burns.

Mr Brennan said Baird admitted he breached a community corrections order.

He will be assessed for another community corrections order and was remanded until May 27 to reappear at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court.

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