Ashley Rigby clearly lied when interviewed by police, defence lawyer Rohan Harrison has told Albury Local Court.

But without his admissions his co-offender, Joshua Aaron Green, would not have been identified, he said.

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Rigby and Green entered the 63-year-old victim's Albury motel room after a key was left in his door so his daughter, staying in the room next door, could look after him.

The pair used the card to withdraw $4092 from the victim's Commonwealth Bank account.

Magistrate Richard Funston has sentenced Rigby, who turned 26 this week, to 18 months' jail.

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But a non-parole period of nine months behind bars will have him released on November 30.

"I do feel that you are genuine in what you are saying," Mr Funston said, referring to Rigby's comment via a video link to jail that he would not go back to using methamphetamine, nor re-offend.

Mr Funston said the offender had demonstrated a degree of insight into his crime that "gives me some comfort".

"Mr Rigby, seriously, this is the time to make your mother proud," he said.

"There's a lot riding on it."

Mr Harrison said there really was nothing to differentiate the pair's offending, but what was different was Green's far more significant criminal history.

Green won't be released on parole until July 7, 2022.

Green, 27, was given two years' jail after he, too, pleaded guilty to identical charges of break and enter in company and dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception.

Rigby was living at the Albury Classic Motor Inn when the incident happened on the night of February 24.

After discovering the theft, the victim alerted his daughter.

Police arrested Rigby in his motel room on March 1.

Rigby told police that after they went went into the man's room and stole his wallet, which also contained $145 in cash, Green rang the Commonwealth Bank in order to change the victim's pin number.

A voice recording obtained by police though revealed it was Rigby who had made the call.

He also claimed he kept none of the $4092 in cash they withdrew from an ATM when CCTV footage actually showed Rigby dividing the money between them.

Rigby must pay $2046 compensation to the bank and $72.50 to the victim.

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