A homeless man smashed a shop window and stole Pokémon cards in an early morning raid - then did the same a month later.
This time Nicholas Lowe got away with toys worth £700 and he was sent to prison for 36 weeks. He faced city magistrates and admitted both burglaries.
Richard Posner, mitigating, said 38-year-old Lowe had no income when released from prison and told the court: "That is why he reverted to offending."
But he said Lowe hopes to go to a drugs rehabilitation unit in Devon, under a scheme run by the Salvation Army.
And he said Lowe deserved credit for admitting one of the offences because CCTV was so vague it was difficult to identify him.
Mr Posner added: "When he heard police were looking for him, he handed himself in to the police. He walked into the police station."
Retired engineer loses eight stone in less than a year after becoming depressed over his weight
Lowe pleaded guilty to burglary of WH Smith in Newark, stealing Pokémon cards worth £100 on March 19. He admitted a similar offence at Toymaster in the town on April 14, taking toys worth £700.
Michael Gallacher, prosecuting, said the first offence took place at 4.30am when the shop window was smashed by a brick.
At 3am around four weeks later, two men were seen throwing a grate at the main entrance of the Toymaster shop so they could get inside.
The court heard Lowe had several offences on his criminal record, including a burglary at business premises. He was given an 18-week prison sentence for this.
The magistrates ordered Lowe to pay £350 compensation to Toymaster and £50 to WH Smith after studying his finances.
Presiding JP Roger Murfin told him: "We have taken everything into consideration. We feel a custodial sentence is the only way to deal with this because of your criminal record and these offences were committed whilst on licence."
Homeless man appeared in court over alleged assault in Mansfield
Girl left with 'life-altering injuries' after being hit by car in Gregory Boulevard
Rise in drug-fuelled violence in Ilkeston sees DJ headbutted and landlord knocked out
