A North Albury man who stole antiques valued at several thousand dollars from empty farmhouses later helped police identify what he took.
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Jason Johnston did not try to deny he was the culprit after police knocked on his front door, Albury Local Court has heard.
That was 10 days after Johnston went to a property on Table Top Road, Table Top, on October 1, 2020.
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The farm was abandoned, as were the houses on the property.
Johnston, 47, has pleaded guilty to a single charge of steal property in dwelling.
He fronted court via a video link to the Albury police station cells.
"All the property has been returned as I understand it your honour, those are my instructions," defence lawyer Mitchell Irwin told magistrate Miranda Moody.
"In his own words, it was an act of stupidity.
"He really didn't know the value of this property. He does have a drug problem, he is working on that."
Police said Johnston, who had a "lengthy criminal record" that contained similar offences, entered several of the houses on the farm.
He took a large quantity of antique "collectibles" that a "local expert", after going through the items, valued at $8050.
Police received information on October 11 that Johnston still had the property at his home.
They then went to his residence, where he answered the door.
Johnston gave consent for police to come inside. They immediately saw some of the stolen property.
He made full admissions before helping police identify items from the collection.
Ms Moody handed Johnston a 12-month jail term, to be served in the community by way of an intensive corrections order.
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