Shawn Mandigo told a judge Tuesday that he has struggled with addiction for half of his life.
"My entire adult life has been consumed by drugs," the 30-year-old said, calling his recent brushes with the law "a bit of a wake-up call."
He pleaded guilty to eight offences, including three counts of theft, three counts of breaching release orders and two charges of failing to attend court.
Mandigo stole numerous items from Staples on Dec. 5, 2021 and $629 worth of merchandise from Rome's on Jan. 27 of this year, Ontario Court Justice John Condon heard.
He also was convicted of using a roommate's phone to make $432 in unauthorized purchases.
When the complainant confronted Mandigo, he admitted he had taken the phone and indicated he would pay him back, prosecutor Gary Knox said.
The Crown and defence lawyer Jessica Belisle jointly proposed a six-month jail term, less credit for his pre-sentence custody, followed by two years probation.
Mandigo has an "unenviable record" of 54 convictions for "a relatively young person of 30," the assistant Crown attorney said.
"He repeatedly was stealing from businesses and people he knew, and not attending court."
Belisle agreed her client's criminal record is "quite aggravating," but he has been suffering from an addiction since he was 15 years old, she said.
"He tells me he was spiralling out of control and was in a bad place," the defence told Condon. "He was homeless and had no where to turn."
Being in custody saved his life and he wants to remain sober, she said.
Mandigo has taken steps in the past to address his addiction and while in custody has come up with a five-year plan that includes attending residential treatment and furthering his education, she said.
The accused said he'd like to apologize to the businesses he stole from, and knows he has betrayed his family's trust.
"You are quite right you hurt a lot of people," Condon said, pointing to his convictions that include multiple break and enters, thefts, fraud, impaired driving, assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.
"It would take some time to compose a list of the people you hurt and some are your own family who have no trust in you at this time," the judge told him. "The other person you hurt is you."
Condon said he doesn't doubt Mandigo wants to change and doesn't question his remorse.
"It's your commitment to change I question," he said, adding "you have literally frittered away" half of your life.
The judge accepted the lawyers' recommendation, and with the 99 days credit he received for his pre-sentence custody, Mandigo faces a further 81 days behind bars.
Once he completes his jail term, he will be on probation for two years, with conditions that include assessment and counselling for substance abuse, and psychiatric and psychological issues.
The conditions are meant to help you, Condon told him. "I hope you get to the root of this."
Mandigo must make $432 restitution to his former roommate, and must stay away from Staples and Rome's.
He also was ordered to provide a DNA sample for the national database.