Michael James Brooks, 24, of Tauranga was jailed for 10 months by the Tauranga District Court after he pleaded guilty to one charge each of burglary, unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, and possession of an offensive weapon - a large rock in his pocket.
Brooks told police he stole an orange from a tree because he was hungry, the New Zealand Herald reported.
But the female occupant of the house saw him peering through her windows and rifling through the content of her mailbox.
Police later found Brooks with a large rock in his pocket. He, however, claimed it was for protection.
Brooks already had at least 16 convictions for burglary.
Published 23 July 2010, 06:06 IST