An Echuca man who stole thousands of dollars in goods will spend at least a further two months in jail.
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Andrew Ralph Harland, 28, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court to burglary, two counts of theft, theft of a motor vehicle, driving unlicensed, failing an oral fluid test, dishonestly retaining stolen goods, two counts of committing an indictable offence on bail, three counts of contravening bail, failing to answer bail, and resisting an emergency service worker.
In December last year, Harland was pulled over on Bangerang Road at Echuca Village.
He told police he was licensed, but was unable to produce his licence; checks revealed he was unlicensed.
Oral fluid tests revealed the presence of methamphetamine.
Harland admitted to using an illicit drug three days prior, but believed it would be out of his system.
He said he did not know he was unlicensed.
In February this year, a Mitsubishi Pajero and a Mitsubishi Triton were stolen from a car dealership in Echuca.
The Pajero was later found under a bridge at Echuca Village and two fingerprints were matched to Harland.
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When he was later arrested and interviewed, he denied knowing the vehicle was stolen, but acknowledged he had entered it.
He told police he was accused of stealing his neighbour's vehicle, so he walked to that area as he knew stolen cars were often dumped there; when he saw the Pajero, he got in it to see who might have owned it.
Harland was released on bail, but was not at home during curfew hours when police checked on him on two occasions.
Then in June, he broke into a shed at a Toolleen property and stole two chainsaws, assorted tools, and a trailer, together worth about $6500.
Forensic evidence linked Harland to the scene.
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When police tried to arrest him, he attempted to run from the scene and resisted as police restrained him, only complying when capsicum spray was used.
The court heard Harland's offending stemmed from ice, but he had completed programs in prison and had employment lined up upon his release.
Magistrate Patrick Southey sentenced Harland to 12 months' imprisonment with a non-parole period of five months.
He had already served 86 days in custody at the time of sentencing.
He was also fined $500 and banned from driving for 12 months.
Mr Southey noted the seriousness of the dishonesty offences, but said Harland had a good plan to "make a fresh start".
"There's no reason why, if you stay away from ice, you can't have a happy, successful life," he said.
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