Robert Chatfield, also known as Robert Kardum, 30, now of Noble Park, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to offences, including theft of a motor vehicle.

The charges related to an incident on August 4 last year when Chatfield was found asleep in a stolen Commodore at a hotel in Keysborough.

The vehicle was fixed with plates registered to a Mercedes-Benz.

Lawyer Xavier Farrelly said Chatfield had "long-standing substance abuse" after a difficult childhood that including being bullied at school and physically abused by his father.

He said Chatfield was already serving a three-month jail sentence for the theft of a car battery.

That sentence was reduced from seven months after a successful appeal in Warrnambool County Court last month.

Mr Farrelly said Chatfield was experiencing anxiety in jail due to a period of lock down.

He said further jail time would weigh more heavily on his client because of his mental health issues.

Chatfield was jailed for 30 days which will be served concurrently with his current sentence.

His driver's licence was cancelled for three months.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.