David Troy Watt, 39, of Pilleau Street, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week for contest mention hearings on three police briefs of evidence.

Police said that at 7pm on May 2 Watt was dropped off at his mother's home by a woman who soon after realised that $450 was missing from her purse and her daughter's mobile phone.

Eleven days later Watt sent the woman a series of text messages trying to arrange repayment by offering her bags of cannabis.

The woman only wanted cash.

On July 4 Hamilton police intercepted a car in Shilcock Street and found Watt was carrying a small bag of ice.

Police said that late on the night of September 13 an ex-boyfriend went to a woman's home in the Hamilton district.

Watts found the man's vehicle nearby and torched it.

The next morning he sent a series of text messages to the woman, admitting he set fire to the vehicle.

Magistrate Ron Saines said the series of events described by Watt in his version of events was "pretty implausible".

He warned that if Watt was found guilty of the offences after a contested hearing he faced serving a prison sentence of more than 12 months.

Watt has 12 pages of prior court appearances, was previously jailed and has now breached a current community corrections order for which he has to be resentenced.

Watt also pleaded guilty to a charge of handling stolen goods relating to a chainsaw and charges of burglary and theft were withdrawn by police.

Watt entered guilty pleas to arson, handling stolen goods, possessing cannabis and ice, theft and breaching his bail conditions.

A plea hearing has been scheduled for January 17 in the Hamilton Magistrates Court.

Watt is expected to be jailed.