A BENDIGO magistrate has labelled a man's attempts to steal items from Kmart as "amateur hour".
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Paul House, 31, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to the theft charge.
The court heard on the morning of July 22 last year, House went to the Kangaroo Flat Kmart store where he grabbed a pet bed, two jumpers, two fishing rods, and a tool kit.
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House paid for the pet bed and one of the jumpers before trying to leave the store.
The 31-year-old produced a receipt to staff but when questioned about the rest of the items, House became angry.
The staff were able to grab back the fishing rods but House left the store without paying for the other items.
The workers called 000 and police arrested House at another store about 30 minutes later. He admitted to leaving Kmart without paying for all of the items.
The court heard House also breached a community corrections order.
Defence lawyer Oliver Smith told the court House had a difficult upbringing and was living transiently for much of his childhood.
Mr Smith said House had been exposed to family violence and was previously homeless, although he now had stable accommodation.
The defence lawyer conceded that House had not complied with his corrections order but said the 31-year-old had an acquired brain injury and difficulties with his memory.
Mr Smith said House had been clean from drugs for about 18 months after having addiction issues.
He said his client was willing to have another go at a community corrections order.
Magistrate Russell Kelly said he would give House another chance at a corrections order, varying the order to recommence with 50 hours of unpaid community work left to be completed.
Mr Kelly told House his offending was "amateur hour".
"You were always going to get caught," the magistrate said. "It's a disappointing effort from you given your priors.
"Make the most of this chance."
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