A woman who stole dozens of war veteran's plaques from a Canterbury cemetery has been sentenced to jail.

41 year old Gail Wickes has 26 months in prison after admitting stealing 37 brass grave plaques from Springston Cemetery.

Police recovered 17 sold to a scrap merchant and caught Wickes selling 20 more to another dealer.

She pocketed just over $1000 which she planned to spend on methamphetamine.

Judge Jane Farish says Wicke's acts were incredibly selfish, pathetic and disrespectful and ordered her to pay $5000 reparation.

Restoring the graves cost about $34,000.