SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A 27-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to 21 months in jail for multiple break-ins and thefts he committed in order to support his addiction to crack cocaine.

Thomas Avery pleaded guilty to five counts of theft under $5,000, and four break and enters that happened in November and December 2009.

The Yellowknife resident walked into court with 20 prior break and enter convictions and 18 thefts already on his record.

His latest crime spree began in Fort Smith on Oct. 31. Avery stole a purse from the staff-room of Kaeser's Stores Ltd., where he was working at the time. He was identified stealing the purse in surveillance footage.

On Nov. 11, Avery kicked the door in at Inflight Services in Yellowknife and stole $700 worth of alcohol. Then, on Nov. 21, he forced his way into Le Frolic and stole $418.

On Dec. 11 Avery stole a Dell laptop owned by the terrtorial government that was in an unoccupied office on the 14th floor of the Lahm Ridge building. He stole another laptop in the same building on Dec. 21 and was caught on surveillance cameras walking off with the laptop in a bag.

Finally, at Mildred Hall School, Avery broke into the giant tipi and stole a large flatscreen TV valued at $2,000. He said he sold it shortly thereafter.

Avery also stole a wallet from the staff room at the Adam Dental Clinic.

None of the items were recovered.

Defence lawyer Caroline Wawzonek described Avery as a man in the depths of addiction, and said he suffered from mental problems due to a nagging brain injury.

Avery was hospitalized for months after a "very serious assault" in 2007. Wawzonek said while in rehab for his brain injury at a southern hospital, Avery left much earlier than he should have so he could find drugs.

"I'm a crackhead thief. Not even a brain injury could stop me from smoking crack," said a tearful Avery, who wore a torn T-shirt and jeans in court Tuesday.

He had difficulty explaining himself, apologized in court repeatedly and expressed shame and disgust in himself.

"I know I've sinned," he said.

Both Wawzonek and Avery told Judge Bernadette Schmaltz that he wanted help dealing with his addiction, and help recovering from his brain injury.

"Mr. Avery, you do deserve to change," Schmaltz said. "I believe you are probably completely different when you are sober ... Don't think about deserving punishment. Think about getting help."

In passing sentence, Schmaltz ordered Avery be given an opportunity to participate in educational, life skills, and employment programs. As well, he is to be given opportunities for drug counselling and therapy and mental counselling. He is also to be granted a psychiatric evaluation and access to the regional psychiatric facility in Saskatchewan, if possible.