A man who stole hundreds of dollars worth of fish and bait has been jailed for 18 months.

Rodney Simons, 37, was caught in the act after victim Andrew Card installed a camera to monitor the shed Simons repeatedly raided last month.

He was arrested and confessed to Police, subsequently pleading guilty to four charges of theft at Magistrates’ Court.

Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale told the court Simons entered the shed at Mr. Card’s Sandys home on four occasions between April 10 and 26. He stole three whole mackerel and 17 bags of bait, with a total value of $600.

Ms Tyndale said Mr. Card is a full-time fisherman who operates from the premises. When he told Police someone had entered his shed on several occasions, a surveillance camera was installed, catching Simons red-handed. The prosecutor said Simons’ actions “were the result of his hunger” and that he has a long history of criminal offences including breaking and entering. He was on probation for a previous matter dealt with at Supreme Court when he stole the fish and bait.

Defence lawyer Kenrick James said his client had psychological and family issues related to his dysfunctional behaviour, and asked for a light sentence so Simons could continue with his probation.

Simons, of Railway Trail, Sandys, told the court: “I’m just sorry for what I done. It was stupid of me”. Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo pointed out that the defendant has wasted previous opportunities, telling Mr. James “I’m not sure I can help him. He’s done prison and probation and drug court. I can’t help him”.

As well as handing Simons concurrent 18-month sentences for the thefts, Mr. Tokunbo said he would report his probation breach to the Supreme Court.