A MAN caught driving illegally 17 times in eight months will spend the next seven weeks behind bars.
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Corey Miller was jailed for three months on Friday after pleading guilty to 59 charges.
The 24-year-old, from the Tongala area, has already spent 43 days in custody following his arrest last month.
In addition to 50 driving charges including counts of unlicenced driving, driving while disqualified, driving an unregistered vehicle and speeding, Miller also pleaded guilty to two burglaries, an attempted burglary, three thefts, possessing and using amphetamines and possessing a controlled weapon.
Police prosecutor Sergeant David Somerton told Bendigo Magistrates Court officers had caught Miller driving illegally in Echuca, Tongala and Fosterville, 17 times between November 25 last year and August 6 this year.
He said Miller repeatedly told police he'd only just bought the vehicle and had not had a chance to register it, and that he did not realise he was not allowed to drive.
Sergeant Somerton said Miller helped steal hay worth $1170 from a property in March and broke into an Echuca metal supplier in July, stealing equipment worth $7000.
Two days later, on August 2, Miller tried to break into a Cohuna business but fled the scene after he triggered an alarm.
Several hours later he ransacked the football club rooms at Gunbower Recreation Reserve, stealing items including $900 in cash.
Defence lawyer Matthew Mahady told the court his client had severe mental health issues and intellectual difficulties and submitted he would be vulnerable in jail.
He said Miller had been abusing drugs and alcohol since he was 12 and said he could enter a rehabilitation facility on Monday if he was released.
But Magistrate Richard Wright said Miller needed to spend longer than 43 days in custody given the seriousness of the offences.
He jailed Miller for three months and ruled 43 days as time served. He also ordered Miller complete a community corrections order upon his release.