Burglars jailed after naked chase

A naked man who chased two burglars from his house has been given a £200 reward by a judge for his bravery.

Jonathan Atkinson saw the men outside his home in Burneside, Cumbria, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

He ran outside and followed the men in his car as they ran off. They were arrested soon after, hiding in a field.

John Winder, of Savick, Preston, and Gregory Sharples, of Ploughlands, Preston, admitted burglary. They were jailed for four and three years each.

The court had heard one of the burglars was already trying to drive away Mr Atkinson's car when he gave chase in the early hours of 16 August 2003.

But they ran off when the saw him hurtling towards them in the nude.

Winder, 19, and 18-year-old Sharples each admitted burgling Mr Atkinson's house and three of his neighbours' houses.

They also admitted one charge of possessing an imitation firearm.