The next day, Smith returned and took a further 27 newspapers.
This continued over the next three days until more than 100 newspapers had been stolen.
On Tuesday, November 12, Smith went into the superette about 1pm and was approached by a staff member who accused him of stealing the newspapers after reviewing security footage.
Store manager Iqbal Singh said Smith turned aggressive when they approached him.
"He turned up on the Tuesday and we made sure it was the same guy we had seen on the cameras, and he got aggressive and started asking what we were going to do about it."
He asked the staff member if they had any proof, before admitting the theft and saying he would be back to do it again.
Mr Singh said it was the first time the store had had any trouble with missing newspapers.
Reparation of $215 was sought yesterday by police.
Smith's lawyer Michael McAleer told the court his client was bipolar and suffering from a brain injury.
He said Smith was being cared for by a facility in Hastings but was off his medication and not engaging with the centre at the time.
Mr McAleer said his client could pay reparation at a rate of $10 a week.
Judge Geoff Rea convicted Smith and ordered him to come up for sentence if called upon.
"Mr McAleer is right when he says this is very unusual offending. It is not surprising there is a background to it relating to Mr Smith's health."
He ordered the first payment to be made on December 1.
Robert Cimino, distribution manager at Hawke's Bay Today, said he was glad someone had been caught.
"People seem to see it as a victimless crime. It takes time and energy to find out what has happened and replace the papers."