A MAN has been jailed for five-and-a-half years following a crime spree through Launceston and Deloraine.
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Serial burglar John Nicholas Etchell, 31, appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court, pleading guilty to a series of break-ins late last year.
It comes after he appeared in the Launceston Supreme Court last month for stealing nearly $60,000 worth of cash, jewellery and silver and gold bullion from a Devonport family's home in November.
The magistrates court matters included burglaries at Deloraine and Launceston in December.
In once instance he stole $500 from a home.
On December 6 he stole $5200 worth of cash, jewellery and keys from an Allison Avenue home in Launceston.
At the time Etchell was meant to be participating in a court mandated drug diversion program.
Magistrate Tim Hill sentenced Etchell to 30 months non-parole.
He also activated the three-year sentence Etchell had initially side- stepped by going on the drug program for some 80 offences.
The sentences are to be served cumulatively once his current 19-month prison term for the Devonport burglary expires.
The court previously heard Etchell was wanted on a parole warrant in New South Wales and police from there would be seeking his extradition on release from Risdon.
In 2006, while living in NSW, he was sentenced to more than six years' jail for robbery and stealing more than $45,000 in Dubbo in the state's central west.