A man who was caught on camera stealing from several Yellowknife businesses will serve 38 days in prison.

In Inuvik Territorial Court on Jan. 20 Richard Tardiff plead guilty to three counts of theft under $5,000. Judge Christine Gagnon sentenced him to 45 days custody, which with 7 days pretrial credit amounts to 38 days behind bars. He will also be on probation for a year upon his release.

"I'd like to say I'm sorry for my actions," said Tardiff in his defence.

Crown prosecutor Emma Skowron told court Tardiff was spotted on camera on Aug. 15, 2019, taking a jacket and gloves, valued at $244.65 from a sports store in Yellowknife. Police found him later in the day near the Yellowknife sobering centre, wearing the coat and gloves.

Tardiff was caught on video a second time when, on Nov. 16, 2019, he took a 357 mL bottle of vodka from a Yellowknife liquor store. Police located him with the bottle and arrested him without incident.

Then, on Nov. 21 he was spotted on camera walking out of a grocery store with some meat.

"He is stealing food, clothing and alcohol," said Skowron. "It's the lower end of thefts as far as thefts go."

Noting Tardiff had spent five days in custody in relation to the matters, defence lawyer Kate Oja told court Tardiff had lead a difficult life, having been adopted and then losing both adopted parents.

She added he was homeless and took many of the items for his own survival's sake.

"The three offences he's plead guilty to are addictions and poverty related," she said. "The coat was stolen to keep warm during a Yellowknife winter."