A MAN was lucky to escape jail after stripping off and swearing in front of Huddersfield bank customers.

Mohammed Qayyum, 33, faced his 12th drunk and disorderly conviction in two years.

He was spared jail after his lawyer told how he needed help to conquer his addiction to alcohol. Huddersfield magistrates heard that on October 24, Qayyum, of Walpole Road, entered the Lloyds TSB bank on Westgate.

He was staggering with a glazed look and staff asked him to leave.

Linda Fowler, prosecuting, said: “Staff feared that he would become violent.

“He started taking his shoes and other clothes off.”

He then swore at police and started undoing the belt on his trousers to take them off.

The incident meant that Qayyum was in breach of a two-year Asbo made by the court last August.

Qayyum had been due to appear for sentencing earlier this month but was banned from the court building as he arrived drunk with a Lucozade bottle full of vodka.

His lawyer Charles Ainley said: “Until 2009 he was in a family environment with a wife and children and work. But he lost his job and that had an effect on his family.

“He was struggling financially, became depressed and turned to alcohol.”

Mr Ainley said that if his client could deal with his drink problem he could reconcile with his family.

Magistrates ordered Qayyum to a six month alcohol treatment programme as an alternative to custody.

Chairman Paul Hollingdale told him: “It’s not very pleasant being in a bank and having to observe your behaviour.

“It was outrageous.”

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