Vic WWII medal thief jailed for nine years

An ice addict who bashed a blind 70-year-old Melbourne man in his own home robbed the victim of his cherished independence, as well as his father's WWII medals.

Robert Smith moved into an aged care facility after the attack, giving up the one-bedroom unit in Reservoir he had been so proud of after a life of living in institutions due to his intellectual disability.

He was too scared to live alone after the robbery, despite his long and difficult road to independence, the Victorian County Court heard on Monday.

Howard Bux, 50, attacked Mr Smith, who relies on a walking frame, in his own backyard, when the victim stepped out for a cigarette about 3.30am on August 9, last year.

Bux had knocked on the front door to ask for a cigarette, and when he was rebuffed by Mr Smith, decided to move on, but later told police "something clicked" and he decided to rob the man.

"I thought these old fellas keep a lot of cash under their mattresses," Bux told police.

Bux dragged Mr Smith inside and started punching his head. He tied his hands together and covered his eyes with a towel so Mr Smith wouldn't see what he was doing.

Bux found a suitcase and began filling it with Mr Smith's belongings, including cash, two mobile phones and Mr Smith's father's three WWII medals.

Before fleeing, Bux damaged the landline so Mr Smith couldn't call for help.

Mr Smith's career found him swollen and bruised the next morning.

Bux's conduct was "rather chilling", Victorian County Court Judge Gabriele Cannon said in sentencing the former pastor on Monday.

"He had a disability and was quite frail."

Bux pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, false imprisonment, robbery, recklessly causing injury, damaging property and committing an offence while on bail after making admissions to police.

He told police he felt guilty and wanted to pay Mr Smith back.

"I deserve whatever I get," he said.

Bux had previously been a pastor at his church, but had started using marijuana in 2010 and progressed to ice.

He has been conducting prayer services while on remand for this crime.

Judge Cannon jailed Bux for nine years and one month, ordering him to serve six years and six months before being eligible for parole.