A HOMELESS man with substance abuse issues who keeps stealing has been jail for another three months.
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James Pill, 31, previously of Tehans Lane, Glenormiston, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to theft of a car, unlicensed driving, using an unregistered car, two counts of breaching bail, and four theft offences.
Police said that on the morning of August 1 Pill went to a Camperdown supermarket and stole two Mother caffeine drinks, five Mars bars and lollies valued at $20 because he “was bloody hungry".
On August 29 he stole spirits valued at $50 from a Raglan Parade supermarket after putting a bottle down his pants, saying to police he was coming off drugs.
On October 31 he was seen driving a green Hyundai in Terang's Hardy Street towards Noorat.
When intercepted by police he said he had nowhere to live and admitted stealing a chicken breast and a lamb roast.
Electronic items and a DVD suspected of being stolen were also found in the car.
Defence counsel Rebecca Tait said that during March this year Pill had been in court for similar offending and jailed for three months.
She said Pill's chaotic life put him at risk of offending especially when he was using or trying to withdraw from alcohol and illicit substances.
The solicitor said Pill had been homeless, his offending was not sophisticated and he had been using cannabis since he was 14 years old and ice since he was 25.
Pill was described as having a severe cannabis and methamphetamine use disorder but he was now willing to engage with his corrections order.
Magistrate John Lesser said it was disappointing to see Pill back in court for similar offending but he had not taken up supports offered.
He said the death of a friend was unexpected and sad and Pill had been experiencing grief issues.
Pill was jailed for 90 days, with 37 days already served.
On release from jail he will start a 15-month community corrections order with a condition he do 80 hours of community work.