Melbourne underwear thief sprints from court after receiving conviction

A Melbourne underwear thief who nicked knickers from clothes lines ran away from court after being ordered to undertake a community corrections order.

Marco Adam Raulli, 35, of Reservoir, was also convicted and ordered to pay $790 in restitution to his female victims, whose stolen underwear has never been found.

The serial thief admitted he was sorry for the sordid spree, in which he snatched undies from clothes lines in Northcote, Richmond and South Yarra between 2012 -2016.

Magistrate Duncan Reynolds said Raulli, who pleaded guilty to five charges of theft and three of stalking, had behaved in a manner that was "serious and concerning".

Although Raulli did not know his victims, the magistrate said this was not a victimless crime.

He returned to one of the address five times, leaving his victims in fear and one was so distraught, she moved house.

"I had no idea what the person would do next," one victim said, in her statement previously read to court.

Another suffered nightmares and continually checked her doors were locked, fearing the crimes would escalate: "We felt like sitting ducks."

Mr Reynolds sentenced Raulli to an 18-month community corrections order, which includes an offender behaviour program and counselling.

"Mr Raulli should clearly understand the adverse impact of this offending," he said.

Mr Reynolds noted Raulli had no prior convictions, a good work record and a desire to change.

"You believe you have the capacity to maintain the changes you've commenced through counselling undertaken by you," he said.

"It's important for you to understand the need for that continued counselling."