Wellington, Oct 22 NZPA - A man who stole war medals from Waiouru Army Museum has been jailed for 11 years.

The man, who has name suppression, appeared in Auckland District Court today for sentencing, after pleading guilty to the burglary last month.

He was sentenced to six years for the theft of 96 medals, including nine Victoria Crosses, from the museum in December 2007. He was jailed for a further five years for unrelated burglaries and ordered to serve a non-parole period of seven years.

He was described in court as a career criminal.

Another man charged over the war medals theft is due in court next week.