A NAKED landlord chased a burglar he disturbed in his Ross-on-Wye pub.

Hereford Crown Court heard that Malcolm Tweedale, of The Old Vicarage Cottages, Walford, broke into the Riverside Inn after it had closed.

The defendant admitted burglary and two separate offences of criminal damage when he appeared before Hereford magistrates earlier in the year.

Stephen Davies, prosecuting, told the court the landlord had gone to bed but got up when he heard a noise. He came across Tweedale and, although wearing no clothes, gave chase.

The criminal damage cases related to a separate incident at Clehonger when the defendant caused about £2,000 damage to a car and a motorbike belonging to his wife and her boyfriend.

Tim Sapwell, for Tweedale, said his client had not gone out that evening with the intention of stealing from the pub and had made no attempt to go upstairs where people were sleeping.

He added Tweedale was upset at the breakdown of the relationship with his wife and alcohol had been a factor in the criminal damage incidents.

Judge David Matthews sentenced Tweedale to a total of 27 months in prison.