A 24-year-old Launceston man has been jailed for 16 months following a series of thefts and driving offences.

Rikki James Williams appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court via video from Risdon Prison this morning.

Williams had pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from Launceston businesses last year.

He also pleaded guilty to assault , resisting police, stealing a car, unlicensed driving and evading police.

Magistrate Simon Brown activated a four month suspended sentence, which Williams had breached by his conduct.

Mr Brown ordered Williams serve a year's jail cumulative to to the suspended sentence which he backdated to January when the offender was first taken into custody.