Karl James Dreher, 36, of White Avenue, Hamilton, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, criminal and wilful damage, going equipped to steal and possessing ammunition without a licence.

Hamilton Magistrates Court heard he went to Robson's Pharmacy on Gray Street about 7.15pm on July 28 last year and used a jemmy bar to smash through a back window. Police found him in the shop a short time later with a bag containing boxes of prescription painkillers.

About 8.30pm on February 8 this year he arrived at a local medical clinic and demanded to see a doctor, turning on a receptionist when informed he was not able to access drugs.

The 36-year-old yelled abuse before slamming a door on his way out, causing it to shatter.

Last Saturday police executed a search warrant at his home and found a tin containing four rounds of ammunition for a .22-calibre rifle.

Defence counsel Andrew Tweedly said his client was battling a depressive illness and had been involved in a long-standing dispute with the Department of Human Services over custody of his young daughter.

Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt convicted him on all charges and sentenced him to an aggregate term of 12 months' imprisonment with a non-parole period of four months. Dreher was also ordered to pay $1825 in restitution and fined $250 for possessing ammunition without a licence.