A MAN who stole money from a friend has been told he will end up killing himself if he doesn’t kick his habit.

Serial offender Alexander Dibden pleaded guilty to stealing a purse, which contained bank cards and £80, from Jade McDonald’s house in Woolston, Southampton.

The had gone to the home to ask if she had work for him to do.

The 34-year-old then used her debit card to make contactless purchases before being caught on CCTV at Co-op.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Dibden has been convicted 42 times for 146 offences.

The court was told that he had gone to Ms McDonald’s, Knighton Road, home on July 10 - but when he knocked on the door he was greeted by her lodger.

Prosecuting, Rizzo Sadie told the court that when he told Dibden she was out, the lodger then went upstairs to have a shower.

He then heard the front door slam while in the bathroom.

She said that Ms McDonald was unaware of any problems until she noticed three transactions on her card in Co-op.

Ms Sadie added: “She contacted the shop and looked at the CCTV and immediately recognised it as someone who she went to school with.”

The court heard that Dibden had an “extreme history” of offending and of being disloyal.

Mitigating, Keeley Harvey told the court that Dibden used to sell items to Ms McDonald that he had stolen.

She said Dibden’s had become part of a “cycle of addiction” and that it was the “background of his life”.

Dibden, of Wallace Road, Southampton, was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Sentencing, Judge Gary Burrell QC told Dibden he would end up killing himself if he didn’t address his drug addiction.

He said: “You have got one life and you’re wasting it.

“Obviously you should be clean when you come out. You should be able to sort yourself out.

“This was unpleasant and mean to someone you know.”