Daniel Raymond Rogers, 41, had hoped for a reduction on the 15-month sentence when he faced the District Court in Sutherland on Tuesday, but left empty-handed, after a judge said he  got what he deserved.

The court heard Rogers was living in Chounding Crescent in Bellambi  in April this year when he  sneaked  into the rear laundry of his neighbour’s house while the woman slept at the front of the house.

Once inside, he  found a pink and orange T-shirt with a  heart-shaped embroidered neckline, and put it on over his own shirt.

He then walked to the front verandah and rummaged through several large bags of clothes until the noise woke the woman. When she called out to him, Rogers  apologised then fled  into his own yard, still wearing the shirt.

The woman reported the incident to police.

Defence lawyer Elizabeth Parkes conceded Rogers had a long criminal history   and had spent much of his life behind bars, but asked the court to restructure the sentence so he could spend  time on parole under the guidance and direction of community corrections staff.

However, Judge Paul Conlon refused the request, noting Rogers’ lengthy record, which included convictions for similar property offences in 2002, each year between  2004 and  2008, and 2010.

The court heard he was on parole for the 2010 conviction – for an offence of aggravated break, enter and steal – at the time he stole the shirt.

Judge Conlon dismissed the appeal, finding the 15-month sentence  had been ‘‘entirely appropriate’’.