A young man who stole poppy cans meant to raise money for veterans was sentenced Tuesday to two years plus a day in prison.

Andrew Smith is escorted from provincial court on Tuesday after being sentenced to prison. (CBC )

Andrew Smith, 24, stole about 10 cans that the Royal Canadian Legion had placed in the St. John's area, mostly at Tim Hortons locations.

The robberies occurred during November, when the Legion reported that its cans — part of its annual Remembrance Day campaign — had been stolen. Police charged at least three other people in similar robberies.

On Tuesday, Smith was sentenced for the thefts, as well as other crimes, including defrauding Scotiabank of $500. Smith had deposited 11 empty envelopes while withdrawing money from automated tellers. Security video had recorded those thefts.

Smith apologized for his actions, saying that what he did to the Legion was "very disrespectful" as well as embarrassing.

"I just want to say I'm sorry for all the people I hurt," said Smith, who was also convicted of being unlawfully in a private home.

"I have an addiction. I know it's no excuse."

In addition to the thefts, Smith was also convicted of using a credit card in a stolen wallet to buy four cellphones.

Provincial court was told that Smith is trying to recover from an addiction to opiates. Further details were not spelled out.

Both the Crown and the defence recommended that Smith be given a sentence over two years so that he can take advantage of drug addiction programs while he serves his sentence.

To make that happen, the lawyers asked that Smith be given no credit for the time spent on remand.

Judge Greg Brown said that Smith's crimes discouraged people from donating money to the Legion.

"The public tends to view [the thefts] with disgust," Brown told Smith.

With files from Glenn Payette