A DRUG addict with 46 previous convictions and two degrees, including one in physics, has been jailed after he tried to steal a television from a house while the owner slept.

Dean Bennett, 48, of Park Prewett Road, Basingstoke, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, 5 January after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to one charge of burglary.

The court heard how Bennett, who has a major heroin addiction following a back injury, entered another home in Park Prewett Road on December 11 through the front door while the homeowner was asleep on the sofa.

The man woke up to see Bennett holding his unplugged television in his arms. Bennett ran away after he was confronted.

However, the man knew Bennett and was able to pass his identity on to the police who later arrested him.

Bennett, who is currently serving time in prison for a separate offence, claimed to “barely remember the past 12 months including this particular incident” due to the severity of his heroin addiction.

The court heard how Bennett, who has degrees in business studies and in physics, has had a total of 46 previous convictions, most recently the theft of alcohol from a supermarket.

The homeowner’s victim impact statement said: “Since the incident I am scared to be in my own house and I have since started making plans to move as I can no longer relax in my house because of this.”

During sentencing, Recorder J Taylor said: “The homeowner was asleep and he awoke to see you with his television in your arms. We have heard the effect it has had on him as he is looking to move.

“You are a serial dishonest offender with 46 previous convictions and 102 offences and in this case a drug rehabilitation order is not an option”

Recorded Taylor sentenced Bennett to 10 months in prison, for which he will serve a minimum of half, and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge.