The Hamilton man who admitted to burgling houses in Papamoa and Bethlehem has been jailed for two years and four months.

Andre Moiri Ngatai, 33, was sentenced in Tauranga District Court today on five burglary charges, seven receiving charges and one offering to sell cannabis.

Andre Moiri Ngatai in Tauranga District Court.

The charges relate to incidents in Tauranga and Hamilton that occurred earlier this year.

Court documents reveal Ngatai received stolen property four occasions in Tauranga between July 5 and July 15 this year. The stolen items included two televisions worth $1000 and $500, and a money box worth $50.

In August this year Ngatai admitted to breaking into two houses in Papamoa and Bethlehem.

Ngatai was arrested on July 18 when police stopped him driving a Nissan Skyline through Tauranga and discovered a number of items stolen from a Tauranga property inside.

In sentencing today, Ngatai's lawyer Nick Castle told Judge Louis Bidois his client demonstrated some genuine remorse in relation to some of his actions.

Judge Bidois read out sections of statements from victims affected by Ngatai's offending.

It seems the offender doesn't care what he has done, one statement said.

Another went on to say the offenders lack insight and the burglaries were an invasion of privacy.

Judge Bidois said one victim was heartbroken by what had happened because they had worked hard only to have their things stolen.

'You forced you way into people's homes both in Tauranga and in Hamilton and took things that were easily sold. Most of these items had sentimental value to the victims.

'You also received stolen property, so you were close to the action.”

Ngatai has 16 previous burglary charges, with his last one in 2004.

Judge Bidois described his latest offending as a 'spree” that lead to him being sent to jail for a number of charges.