A Portland man convicted of nine burglaries, including one where a family of four was present, has abandoned a sentence appeal due to fear of copping a heavier sentence.
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Timothy Simeth, 36, was sentenced to two years with a non-parole period of 15 months in Portland Magistrates Court in October.
He appealed against the sentence in Warrnambool County Court on Thursday.
Lawyer Michael Turner said the sentence was appropriate in terms of length but urged the judge to consider a community corrections order rather than a non-parole period.
He said the issue with a parole period was that his client's destiny would be decided by the parole board, whereas a straight jail sentence provided a "clear defined date" before the rehabilitative features of a corrections order.
But Judge Mark Taft said Simeth was someone with a very significant criminal record which included past failures to comply with community corrections orders.
He said Simeth was "at grave risk of having a heavier sentence imposed on him".
The appeal was abandoned.
The court heard between 11pm on July 30 and 6am on August 1, Simeth entered a property in Portland's Barkly Street and stole a laptop and iPhone totalling $800.
A male victim, his wife and their two kids were asleep at the time of the burglary.
The victim woke at 6am and noticed cupboard doors open and the electronics missing.
The court heard the incident left the family feeling distressed.
It was one of nine burglaries that occurred between July 4 and August 19 at residential and commercial properties in Portland.
Simeth jemmied open windows and doors before stealing electronics, car keys, a Christmas cake, soft drinks, alcohol and 50 chocolate bars.
He was arrested on August 19 and found in possession of methamphetamine.
During a police interview, Simeth made full admissions to the offending, stating he was a heavy drug user who committed burglaries to support his drug habit.
"Late last night I'd gone out and ran amok, did drugs like I always do and wanted more," he said.
"All I see is dollar signs or drugs, I don't look for brand names."
Simeth has already served 115 days in custody and will be eligible for parole in December next year.
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