Drunken son left red-faced after row in Hartlepool street while completely naked

Matthew Peter Kelly, 29, was left red-faced by his actions which landed him in court and a legal bill of almost £200.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that he went home drunk and got into an argument with his parents which spilled outside rousing the neighbours on Saturday, July 4.

He tried to break windows at his house and destroy neighbours’ garden ornaments all while wearing no clothes in Stockton Road, Hartlepool, at about 6.30am.

Jonathan Hanratty, prosecuting, told the court: “Police arrived and found the defendant completely naked in the street struggling with another male.

"He was detained and put in the back of a marked police vehicle. The defendant’s parents told police he had come home during the early hours causing issues and arguing where he stripped off his clothing and gone outside banging his head off the windows.”

They tried to restrain him and neighbours became aware of what was happening.

Kelly turned his attention to them and started smashing garden gnomes belonging to them but they did not press charges.

He pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and was fined £80 plus costs.

Stewart Haywood, defending, said in mitigation: “Mr Kelly had had far too much to drink. He has been out of trouble for some time and tells me he is extremely ashamed of his actions.

"If it were not for the fact he was naked in the street this would be a case of drunk and disorderly.”

Magistrates accepted Kelly was embarrassed by his conduct.

Chair of the bench Sally Ferard said: “As we have heard the only reason this wasn’t treated as drunk and disorderly is because you didn’t have any more clothes on at the time which makes it a more serious offence.”

Kelly was also ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

Although it is not illegal to be naked in public, a person can be charged with outraging public decency if there is also disorderly behaviour or they cause others harassment, alarm or distress.

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