Simon Petear Novac, 38, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday to wilful damage, making a threat to kill and criminal damage.

The court heard Novac was arrested last Friday after he attended another man's house in Hamilton's Francis Street and demanded he return $5.

The victim refused and Novac became enraged, asking the victim to come outside several times.

The victim refused and shut the front door. Novac started banging on a window, told the victim he would kill him and then threw a vacuum cleaner onto the roof, causing several pieces to break off.

Police attended the scene and arrested the offender, who told officers he needed money to buy food.

Novac also pleaded guilty to an unrelated matter in January when he was caught trespassing at a property in Hamilton's Coleraine Road.

Lawyer Jess Dean told the court that Novac took "full responsibility" for his actions, stating he was desperate for money and never intended to carry out the threat to kill.

But magistrate Michael Coghlan said there "seems to be more involved than $5".

"Your conduct toward the victim was quite significant," he said.

"I find it difficult to accept that you, particularly when you were working a couple of days a week, were chasing $5 because you needed something to eat. It seems quite disproportionate."

Novac has already served four days in custody on remand.

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