A Dunedin man who burgled two homes while the residents were asleep inside says his stint in jail was a harrowing experience.
On the evening of December 30, Jovi Michael James Cleveland, 31, entered a home in George St and helped himself to a laptop, speaker, wallet, backpack and various other items.
The residents were asleep in their bedroom, the Dunedin District Court heard last week.
A week later, Cleveland crept into a home in Great King St, entering through a window.
After rummaging through the house while the occupants slept, he stole credit cards and almost $800 of goods.
The defendant then attempted to make purchases with the stolen cards at a store 200m away, the court heard.
Cleveland racked up nine dishonesty charges in four months, including receiving a stolen Range Rover worth $12,000.
The defendant was spotted filling it up with petrol with the stolen bank cards the day after it was reported stolen.
Counsel Rhona Daysh said the man had become addicted to methamphetamine after he suffered a personal loss and his life "got out of control".
After spending 10 months in jail the man said it had been a "thought-provoking and harrowing experience", the court heard.
Judge Michael Turner said the man’s offending created a real risk of confrontation with his victims.
Cleveland was sentenced to two years and 11 months’ imprisonment.
erin.cox@odt.co.nz , PIJF Court Reporter
