A self-confessed drug addict went on a crime spree in the City of Hamilton stealing $1,450 in cash and cartons of cigarettes to fuel his addiction.

Clinton Kevin Eugene Smith, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to entering Crow Lane Bakery, Common Ground, Bermy Cuisine and Pasta Basta as a trespasser, and stealing cash between November 3 and November 17.

He denied breaking into Revelations Boutique and the charge was dismissed.

Magistrates' Court heard from Crown Counsel Nicole Smith that Smith broke into Crow Lane Express Bakery on November 4, November 13 and November 15. Each time, he forced the door open and took the cash register into the back storage room stealing a total of $800.

The final occasion, he was identified on CCTV by owner, Raymond Packwood. The total cost for damages was $1,200.

Smith also broke into Bermy Cuisine three times on November 12, November 14 and November 15, stealing $400 and four cartons of Marlboro cigarettes valued at $340.

Smith broke in by smashing the front door twice and a window the final time. The total damages are more than $1,250.

The 31-year-old broke into Common Ground between November 16 and 17 by forcing open the plexiglass window and stealing $250 from the cash register. The damages for that incident are valued at $1,000.

The final burglary took place at Pasta Basta on November 16 with Smith attempting to steal a cash register.

However, an employee was working in the kitchen and heard noises coming from the front of the store and chased him out.

Smith was later arrested and admitted to all the offences. He told Police he had a cocaine problem and targeted each establishment because he knew they had cash registers with float money inside.

Smith was on probation when he committed the offences after his release from prison in 2007. He failed to comply with Probation Services and did not participate in any rehabilitation programmes.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner took into consideration his guilty pleas and sentenced him to four years imprisonment for each count of theft, and one year for attempting to steal the cash register from Pasta Basta. All sentences will run concurrently.