Dean Chamberlain, 31, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court to two charges of theft as well as committing an indictable offence on bail.

Last October, Chamberlain was identified as the thief who stole registration plates off a vehicle thanks to a rear dash camera.

Then in January, Chamberlain stole a knife block set - worth almost $1200, but on sale for about $400 - from a shop in Bendigo Marketplace.

Later that month, he attended Bendigo police station by appointment and admitted to the offending.

He was on bail at the time the crimes were committed.

More court news: Refusal to accompany police for test leads to four-year driving ban

Magistrate Alan Spillane said Chamberlain had an "extraordinary number of prior offences", although there were not many dishonesty offences since at least 2014.

"He's a bit of a pest, but he's not a fully fledged criminal yet," Mr Spillane said, noting aside from drug trafficking there did not appear to be anything "really serious" in his past.

The magistrate took into account Chamberlain's guilty plea and that he handed himself in to police.

Mr Spillane convicted and sentenced Chamberlain to 28 days' imprisonment, with 20 days already served.

Chamberlain was also ordered to pay compensation for the knife block set.

"What you're doing now is a complete waste of time - you should be out working, you should be making something of yourself," the magistrate said to Chamberlain.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.