The man, who moved out eight weeks before the burglary, targeted the home of the woman and her husband on Mother's Day, May 9.

Michael Anthony Hassarati had taken a taxi to the Roper Street house from his new, temporary home at a Lavington motel, then asked a wary neighbour of the couple to give him a drink.

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Worried he was already drunk and possibly volatile, the neighbour poured Hassarati a drink then went inside his home and watched his movements via his CCTV security system.

Hassarati, 45, who has since moved to the Sydney suburb of Greystanes, pleaded guilty in Albury Local Court on Monday to a single charge of break and enter dwelling and steal.

Magistrate Richard Funston said the crime was serious, but for now had put off any thought of jail.

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Instead, Mr Funston ordered the preparation of a sentence assessment report, though warned Hassarati he had to do his level best in co-operating with NSW Community Corrections on its preparation.

"This is a critical time for you, what happens over the next six weeks, to show you're willing to do anything they ask you to do," he said.

Hassarati has been no stranger to the courts over the years, having faced 13 charges on matters ranging from violence and armed robbery in company to drug and property-related offences.

Police told the court he boarded with the victims, a couple, in their home for five months before moving out about eight weeks before the break-in.

During those two months he made regular contact as he secured payments of $100 from the man.

Three weeks before the burglary he again contacted the man, but this time to ask for money he claimed was owed to him.

The victim gave Hassarati $2500 to help him move to Sydney.

The court heard the couple went out for a Mother's Day lunch about 12.30pm. Half an hour later, a "well-intoxicated" Hassarati caught a taxi to Roper Street from his motel.

After scoring his drink from the neighbour, he walked off then returned to get another drink. He then broke into the couple's home by forcing open the garage door.

Hassarati will be sentenced on September 6.

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