Timothy William Fowler, 25, pleaded guilty to a string of stealing and drug charges when he appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Police said Fowler and an accomplice stole a Ford Focus in Mowbray in November last year.

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The car was driven to Kmart about 3.30am, when Fowler walked out without paying for socks and a sports bag.

Fowler later filled up at Caltex in Kings Meadows and the pair left without paying.

A heavily drug affected Fowler was later arrested by police near Mowbray.

While out on bail in early December, Fowler kicked a West Launceston woman's door in and stole perfume from Chemist Warehouse in Mowbray.

Police found him with cannabis and ice, as well as a purple tube with pepper spray in it. According to police, Fowler was agitated, screaming loudly and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Later in December Fowler and an accomplice stole a Subaru Brumby at Newnham.

In court defence lawyer Mark Doyle said Fowler was abused as a child and became reliant on drugs to cope.

"Mr Fowler has had a particularly problematic and tragic upbringing," Mr Doyle said.

"He has no accommodation available to him, he's homeless on the streets."

Mr Doyle said when released from jail, Fowler intended to get counselling to address the effects of childhood trauma and beat the drug addiction.

Magistrate Sharon Cure told the court Fowler had been in jail before, including for an aggravated burglary offence.

Fowler was sentenced to four months in jail, backdated to December 22 when he was first remanded in custody.

"If the cars had been trashed or smashed up I'd increase the penalty," Magistrate Cure said.