During the burglaries, Jenkins and his associates scaled fences, cut padlocks and hauled what they could of the contents of freezers and storage sheds, including fish, prawns, eggs, spring roll wrappers and a DVD player.
An alcohol-fuelled Jenkins was also caught up in two unprovoked episodes of street violence as he wandered through Lower Hutt in July.
In both cases, he randomly grabbed his victims and punched them about the face, later telling a probation officer it was "the natural thing to do". Jenkins, the eldest of six children, left school at 14 and, a year later, became affiliated with a gang.
In October, while in Wanganui, he burgled the Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Trust and stole laptops and a heater, before tagging the group's building.
Judge Matheson noted Jenkins had already spent time in prison for aggravated robbery and seemed bent on self-destruction, with a propensity for violence and a transient lifestyle.
He sentenced Jenkins to 26 months' imprisonment on seven counts of burglary, three of assault, one of failing to answer police bail, another of failing to answer district court bail and a charge of intentional damage.