Thomas Towle was sentenced in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, having pleaded guilty last week to 32 charges of theft from a shop, theft, burglary, attempted burglary, retention of stolen goods and obtaining property by deception, as well as breaching a community corrections order.

Magistrate Megan Aumair noted Towle’s offences were all of a similar nature, and said she had taken into account a report that spoke of his deprived upbringing.

She said in combination Towle’s offending was serious, especially in the context of his criminal history.

But Ms Aumair noted he had family support, accommodation and apparent motivation to change.

She sentenced Towle to six months’ imprisonment, declaring 111 days of pre-sentence detention already served.

Upon his release in mid-February, Towle will be put on a 12-month community corrections order, under which he will be subject to judicial monitoring.

He must complete 100 hours of community work, and undertake any drug, alcohol and mental health assessments or treatments, and programs to address re-offending, as directed.

Towle must also pay compensation.

Most of Towle’s offences took place between February and August this year.

Read more: Bendigo man pleads guilty to burglaries and thefts

They began with a break-in at a massage business on February 6, when $3000 in cash was stolen.

In March and April he stole from two Bendigo homes bikes, jewellery and cash.

Then in July, he stole a power tool from a hardware store and, less than a week later, broke into an Eaglehawk cafe and took about $550 in cash.

He made some unsuccessful break-ins at three other Eaglehawk businesses, but did gain entry to a bakery, from where he stole $35 in cash, a financial planner, from where he stole about $100, and a takeaway shop, from where he stole a phone, tablet and cash worth $2500.

He is also believed to have stolen cleaning items from a gaming venue.

The following month he broke into another Eaglehawk business and stole cash and other items, and took cash and tools from vehicles nearby.

Towle later stole cash, cigarettes and a soft drink after smashing the window to gain entry to a petrol station.

He also stole power tools from an Eaglehawk home and a bottle of vodka from a Bendigo bottle shop.

Forensic evidence also pinpointed him as the culprit of a January 2015 break-in at a hairdressing salon.

Towle will return to court for judicial monitoring in May.

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