Michael Debono, 54, of Marlee Court, Warrnambool, was sentenced to 14 months' jail with a non-parole period of eight months in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court in April.

He immediately appealed against the sentence and was released on appeal bail.

Debono appeared in Warrnambool County Court on Friday for a mention hearing.

He was not legally represented.

He told the court he was not eligible for legal aid funding because he would not sign a charge on his house.

Victoria Legal Aid can ask defendants to sign a legal document that gives the service security over the amount spent during a court process.

The defendant can pay back the amount once their property is sold or transferred, or when they refinance or borrow money against their property.

Debono said he could not sign a charge because he didn't have a house.

He said another law firm had offered to represent him if he paid $10,000 up front, which he refused.

Judge Mark Dean said it was in the man's interest to be legally represented. He suggested Debono contact the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services and adjourned the appeal until November for the next county court circuit sitting in Warrnambool.

Debono remains on appeal bail.

He was found guilty of burglary and theft following a two-day contested hearing in the magistrates' court earlier this year.

The charges relate to the theft of a 100-kilogram safe, $17,000 cash, a wedding ring, ammunition and numerous documents from Warrnambool's King Cole Fruit Supply on December 28, 2016.

Debono's son worked at King Cole Fruit Supply and was the son-in-law of the owners.

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