Daniel Ledwidge, 27, of Kangaroo Flat, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to 12 charges, including theft, burglary and trafficking a drug of dependence.

The court heard Ledwidge attempted to steal a $15,000 caravan from the Botanic Village Retirement Centre at 5.50am on January 10, but encountered several obstacles.

Having hooked the caravan to his car, Ledwidge attempted to leave the park but could not negotiate the boom gate.

He then attempted to leave via an area under construction, but the caravan “became stuck”, the court was told.

Ledwidge tried to use a jack to free the caravan, but failed.

When police arrived at 8.20am, he fled towards the Calder Highway but was captured soon after.

Ledwidge also pleaded guilty to his role in the theft of a box trailer from Golden Square, and the burglary of a house in Axedale.

The court heard Ledwidge and two co-accused sold most of the power tools from the trailer on the same night as the theft, after driving it to a property in Lockwood.

The next night, on February 1, the group of men, including Ledwidge, forced their way into an Axedale property where they stole five shotguns, two rifles and two air rifles, along with a Holden Commodore.

Police raided a Violet Street address on February 2 and uncovered the remaining stolen power tools and trailer.

Ledwidge was arrested during a second raid on the address on February 4, where police found 37 ecstasy tablets in a duffle bag. Ledwidge’s mobile phone also contained text messages relating to selling the tablets.

He was in breach of bail, as he was violating a curfew and was at the wrong address.

Co-accused Andrew William Valli, 27, pleaded guilty during a hearing in July in relation to the theft and burglary. He is expected to be sentenced on September 29.

A third co-accused appeared in court on Tuesday but the matter was adjourned.

Magistrate John Doherty told Ledwidge, who has ambitions to become a boxer, that he needed greater discipline.

“The boxers I know are all disciplined fellas, with no drugs, no drinking, and training six days a week,” he said.

“Keep your head down. All of the stuff that happens in jail gets sent to the parole board.”

Ledwidge was sentenced to 18 months prison with a non-parole period of nine months. He has already served 208 days in custody.

He was also fined $500 and had his licence canceled for six months.