Brett Leon Mann (32) was returned to the South Island after racking up serious convictions featuring aggravated robberies and thefts while living across the Tasman.
The Dunedin District Court heard yesterday that it did not take long for his criminal tendencies to kick in.
In March 2017, Mann smashed the window of a Christchurch home and stole electronics worth more than $3000.
The burglary happened during the day and the defendant was reckless as to whether anyone might have been home, Judge Kevin Phillips said. It typified Mann's attitude, he said.
Blood spots left at the scene tied the defendant to the crime and he spent the next 18 months continually offending.
Summaries of fact, which run to a couple of pages in most cases, spanned dozens of pages for Mann and covered various driving charges and petrol drive-offs.
Police closed in on him in September last year after receiving reports of 28 vehicles being broken into and tools taken in the space of a week.
Seven of those crimes were pinned on Mann and a co-defendant.
The pair got away with about $34,000 of tools, the court heard.
Just days later, Mann broke into two cars at a St Clair golf club and swiped $8000 of personal items, including an iPad.
Its owner used a tracking app to a Kinmont Park home.
When police executed a search warrant at the property they found tools, a stolen car, in which were stolen plates, and other items.
A similar haul of goods was found at Mann's partner's home and further investigation found she had been advertising them for sale on Facebook on his behalf.
But even in the days leading up to capture, Mann's lawlessness continued.
On September 2, he filled a stolen car with fuel he did not pay for and drove it to Christchurch for a court appearance.
He returned to Dunedin the next day and had time to steal some number plates from a Toyota before he was arrested.
"It just goes on and on," Judge Phillips said.
Defence counsel Nathan Laws stressed his client had pleaded guilty early and the delays before sentencing were not of his making.
He said Mann had prospects of employment as a painter and decorator once released and could pay some of the $26,000 reparation.
Judge Phillips dismissed that as "all conjecture".
On the raft of charges, Mann was jailed for three years two months and banned from driving for 18 months.
No order was made for reparation.
