A HOMELESS man who stole at least £200 from Cleveland Bridge Social Club used the cash to pay for bed and breakfast and food for a few days, a court heard.

Joseph Benson, 32, of no fixed address, became homeless after leaving his family house when he discovered his wife had been unfaithful, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard.

Benson pleaded guilty to breaking into the social club, on Neasham Road in Darlington, one night in September, out of “sheer desperation”, magistrates were told.

John Garside, prosecuting, said Benson had broken a downstairs window at the club to gain entry, injuring himself in the process and leaving blood at the scene, which was later matched to his DNA.

He said: “While in there he has taken cash to the clue of £200-300 and then left the same way. He made full admissions, saying he stole £160. He was desperate for money and he used it to stay in a bed and breakfast and get something to eat.”

Stephen Andrews, in mitigation, said: “He doesn’t have a propensity to commit offences of this type. He has shown over the last five years he can keep himself out of trouble.

“Shortly before this offence was committed he discovered that his wife of several years and partner of many years before had been unfaithful to him which resulted in the complete breakdown of the relationship. “The breakdown hit him hard. He moved out of the home without really anywhere to go.

“He was cold, he was hungry, he was desperate and in all those circumstances he thought to himself, saw the Social Club and thought there might be some money lying about. He was able to see into the office and break the window, where he cut himself, and the rest, is history.”

He said Benson, a former heroin addict, who also used to be alcohol dependent, was trying to get help to find a home as he was currently “sofa surfing” and relying on friends to put him up.

Probation officers said the theft was out of character because his previous convictions tended to be for violence. His last conviction was in 2008 and he served a custodial sentence, the court heard.

Mr Andrews said that considering the difficulties he was having, it was to Benson’s credit that there had not been more offences before the court.

Magistrates gave Benson a four-month community order and ordered him to pay £165 compensation.