A homeless teenager has admitted stealing $2,400 from the bank account of the Masjid Muhammed mosque in Hamilton.

Malik Cann, 18, also admitted attempting to take a further $400 from the mosque's building fund chequing account when he appeared at Magistrates' Court.

The court was told how, having successfully cashed three out of five stolen cheques, Cann was caught red-handed by suspicious Bank of Butterfield staff when he tried to cash a fourth on October 2. Prosecutor Nicole Smith said staff at the Rosebank branch called the Police to tell them a man was trying to cash a $400 cheque stolen from the mosque during a burglary in September. After Cann was arrested it emerged he had successfully cashed two $400 cheques on September 26 and one for $1,600 on September 28.

Although he initially told Police the money was for work he had done at the mosque, Cann pleaded guilty to 15 charges related to the thefts when he appeared at court.

Cann told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that he has a problem with marijuana and has spent two periods being treated at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

"I'm going to counselling at Turning Point. It's my first serious offence of any nature. I currently do not have anywhere to stay," claimed Cann, who told the Magistrate his mother had walked out he and his siblings and he was mourning the death of his father.

He also told the Magistrate that he intends to pay the stolen money back. Mr. Warner heard further mitigation from his uncle, Noel Cann, who said the defendant has the support of his family.

Mr. Warner ordered pre-sentence reports including drug, psychiatric and psychological assessments and adjourned the case until November 22.