An Israeli man was jailed for up to four years this week for scamming around $AU150,000 (£96,000) from parking metres in Melbourne.

Josef Andelman, 48, who worked as a security officer employed to collect coins from parking metres, had pleaded not guilty to 85 charges of theft earlier this month.

But at the Victorian County Court on Tuesday, Judge Carolyn Douglas jailed the former Israeli soldier for a minimum non-parole period of two years, the Associated Press reported.

Police found almost $AU145,000 in cash stolen from Melbourne City Council at Andelman's home.

The father of three was part of a racket that collected more than $AU377,000 in coins from parking metres in 15 months, the court heard.

Judge Douglas said Andelman had shown no remorse and she ordered the Russian-born immigrant to pay compensation of $AU148,285.25.

"These offences of theft were… carried out in a way which involved some planning and enlisting involvement of those who worked the same shifts as you," Judge Douglas said.