Ex-AFL recruit jailed over crime spree

Former AFL recruit Dayle Garlett has been jailed for more than four years over a drug-fuelled crime spree in Western Australia.

The 21-year-old, who was recruited by Hawthorn in 2013, pleaded guilty to 14 charges including burglary, car theft, speeding and driving dangerously to avoid police.

WA District Court judge Linda Petrusa said on Friday that Garlett came from a supportive family and had potential, including a promising career in football, but his drug use increased when he moved to Melbourne.

"Having lost your career opportunity at playing AFL, it seems you felt you had nothing to prove and decided to become a bad boy," she said.

"You used drugs as a coping strategy and became involved in the wrong crowd as it seemed easier than facing your family, especially, it seems, your mother.

"You felt ashamed of having ruined your once in a lifetime opportunity and the reports say that you used avoidance as a coping strategy."

Judge Petrusa said Garlett had been selfish, but she hoped he could be rehabilitated in prison.

Garlett was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail, and must serve at least two years and four months behind bars before he will be eligible for parole.