An Oamaru man says he was "spaced out on meth" after being caught shoplifting to fund his drug habit.
Michael William Meredith, 39, appeared in the Oamaru District Court this week before Judge Dominic Dravitzki, who agreed with the man that he "would do better away from Oamaru".
"Quite obviously you have a massive drug addiction problem," the judge said.
At 9.05am on June 27, Meredith entered the PGG Wrightson store in Oamaru and stole a pair of work boots.
Almost two weeks later he stole a chisel, a knife and some grip tape valued at $170 from PlaceMakers, Oamaru.
The same month he went to a design store and stole two wallets along with a designer handbag valued at $510.
In explanation, he said he was "spaced out on meth and fell into old habits".
"He has been working well with his support people in prison ... He has had big difficulties in the past."
Meredith had reportedly been living in a tent throughout winter and had been struggling to find his feet.
He said he could not remember most of the offending and probably committed the crimes to fund his drug problem.
As Meredith had spent two and a-half months in custody, Judge Dravitzki said the man had already served his time.
Meredith was sentenced to 15 months’ intensive supervision and he intended to move away from Oamaru to escape "antisocial associates", the court heard.
