Joshua Murphy, 19, of Breton Street, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to dishonesty and driving-related offences.

Magistrate Jonathon Klestadt said he accepted Murphy had a learning disability that made him easily influenced by those more experienced in the criminal field. 

"(The co-accuseds) preyed upon you to use your vehicle and be on the lookout," he said. 

"It is only natural for a person to seek affirmation from their peers... but you still bear the criminal responsibility for your actions." 

On October 19, Murphy drove two co-accused to Warrnambool's Jubilee Park and acted as a lookout as they broke into four motor vehicles, stealing $330 cash and 10 basketballs worth $900. 

He also drove the pair to Warrnambool's Deakin University campus on October 22 and waited as they stole cash and an iPhone from several cars.

READ more: Thieves smash car windows, steal property.

Murphy was arrested driving his silver Holden Commodore in Warrnambool about 4.30pm on October 24. He made full admissions to police, stating he had dropped his friends off and waited as they broke into the vehicle.

Police said some of the car windows were smashed in order to gain entry. 

Murphy was placed on a 12-month community corrections order with conditions he do 50 hours of unpaid work. A conviction was not recorded for the dishonesty-related offences.

In a separate incident, Murphy was filmed doing burnouts at Warrnambool's breakwater car park on September 16 and October 12. The footage was later shown to police, who arrested the teenager and issued a defect notice on his vehicle due to low suspension.

He was later caught driving the car which was not displaying P-plates and clearly showed the defect notice attached to the windscreen.

Murphy told police he asked to be recorded doing burnouts so he could show his mates. 

He was convicted, fined $750 and his license was cancelled for four months.

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