Dylan Cuthel, 23, was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday for the burglary and theft at a Mawson home in October.

Cuthel had borrowed a friend's van and drove it to the Mawson home about 3pm.

About 3.40pm, a woman living in the home returned with her daughter, who had just finished school.

The daughter went into the house first, but rushed back out, clearly in distress.

Cuthel then ran out of the house, passing her on the driveway, before getting into the van and driving away.

The mother noted the van's registration plate, and police were soon able to track Cuthel down.

The only item missing from the house was the girl's smartphone, valued at less than $500. Cuthel made admissions, and told police where to find the phone.

He pleaded guilty at his first appearance in court and has since shown remorse, telling the court he felt terrible for the ''fear and terror'' he had caused the victims, particularly the child.

The burglary put him in breach of two good behaviour orders relating to a range of burglaries, thefts and other offences which he committed between 2007 and 2011.

That meant he was to be resentenced on 18 prior offences when he appeared before Justice Hilary Penfold on Tuesday.

Justice Penfold sentenced Cuthel to three years and seven months in jail.

But Cuthel will be eligible to be released in June, when his remaining prison time is suspended.

He will then be placed on three individual good behaviour orders.

The court heard Cuthel had committed the offences to fund a drug habit.

He had been smoking cannabis and using alcohol since he was 13, the court heard, and had since used ice regularly.

He had completed two rehabilitation programs, but had relapsed after periods of 10 and seven months.