Naked defendant jailed for

A NAKED defendant who refused to get dressed for his court hearing has been jailed for six months after being caught with a knife for the second time.

Former soldier James Bridgewood was due before Kirklees magistrates last week to answer charges of assaulting a police constable and possessing a bladed article in public.

But he could not be transported from Dewsbury Police Station to the Huddersfield court as he was naked and would not get dressed.

On Thursday the 35-year-old appeared at the court via a prison video link – fully clothed – and pleaded guilty to the offences.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said that at 11.25pm on July 3 police were called to Swan Lane in Lockwood.

They were contacted by staff at the Swan Inn who said that there was a man there taking down some flags and causing damage.

When they arrived Bridgewood wasn’t there but when he returned a member of the public said they believed he had a knife in his possession.

Mr Bozman said: “He left the pub and started walking away. The officer followed and took hold of him by the arm.

“Attempts were then made by Bridgewood to punch the officer, but not successfully and he was shouting: ‘f ***** g touch me.’

“The officer decided to take him to the ground and there was a struggle. Members of the public came to the officer’s assistance because he was still having his hair pulled.”

Magistrates were told that the Pc had tried to grab hold of Bridgewood because he saw