A Ross Creek  man with a drug habit and a history of abuse as a child has been sentenced to a total of 17-months in jail after travelling with a group, all in disguise, to break into a Maddingley home and steal cannabis. 

Beau McPhan is accused of going onto the Cummings Rd property in August  with a machete  which he told police was to cut the mature plants. 

Judge Meryl Sexton told the Ballarat County Court that during the burglary a co-offender pulled a gun on the occupants.  

The 24-year-old has pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and theft. 

Given time already served McPhan  will be released 12-months from now.