A SERIAL burglar who targeted the house of his former partner’s father for a second time is beginning a lengthy jail sentence.

Stephen Wiseman was spotted by police with his accomplice Daniel Holness as they walked from house-to-house with a plasma screen television stolen from the house in Stanley, County Durham.

Wiseman, 39, who admitted the house raid as well as shoplifting at a nearby store on the same day, was jailed for 32 months as a “fourth strike” burglar.

Sentencing him at Durham Crown Court, Judge Christopher Prince said: “You have a very extensive record for shoplifting and burglary.

“It is the second time you have burgled your ex partner’s father’s house according to police records.”

He imposed a restraining order forbidding Wiseman from going within 50 metres of the house, on his release from prison.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said Wiseman and Holness, 38, were seen acting suspiciously in a wine store in South Stanley, on August 17.

After they left the owner checked the CCTV, which showed Wiseman stealing a packet of biscuits and sausage amounting to £2.70.

Later that day the father of Wiseman’s former partner arrived home to find a large large window had been smashed and a 50ins plasma screen TV and alcohol had been stolen.

Ms Waugh said: “Police who had out been looking for two men who had stolen from the wine store noticed two men going house to house with a plasma television and stopped them.”

Wiseman, who had six children with his ex-partner, had been convicted previously for stealing a flat screen TV in a burglary from the same address.

Ms Waugh said: “He has targeted the victim’s home because he knows he has property.

“And although the victim got his property back he says the damage caused will take time and money to repair.”

Nick Cartmell, mitigating for Holness, said he had taken to alcohol after coming off heroin, but had "dried out" while in custody.

David Callan, mitigating for Wiseman, said he had consumed a lot of alcohol and drugs on the day of the crimes.

Holness, who pleaded guilty to burglary, was given an 18-month community order with supervision.

Both lived in Moor Street, South Moor, Stanley.