A man who stole $1,500 from a Hamilton restaurant was sentenced to four months imprisonment on Wednesday in Magistrates' Court.

Michael L. Smith, 50, of South Breakers Road, Smith's, pleaded guilty to stealing from Locals Seafood Restaurant, on Reid Street, on March 13. He also admitted to taking $269 worth of alcohol from Champions Sports Club, including bottles of Zinfandel, Grey Goose and rum.

Smith pleaded guilty to the two matters on May 16 and has been remanded in Police custody since then, awaiting results from the court ordered social inquiry.

In court Smith spoke about his battle to find appropriate treatment for his drug problem and told the court that he used drugs to "medicate" other issues in his life.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner took into account the jail time Smith already served, so the 50-year-old will be released from prison once he has completed 30 more days. Following his release, he will be on three years probation and must participate in a drug-treatment programme.