A NAKED man found attacking a van in the middle of a Somerset road told police he was "tripping his n**s off".

Hot-headed Liam McDowell, 33, approached the vehicle rambling and swearing before he punched the bonnet and ripped off a windscreen wiper.

Officers found him sitting in the middle of a roundabout completely naked before he made an obscene gesture and said: "It's really important that I f*** myself".

He was arrested and, during interview, told police he could not remember what happened, saying: "I was tripping my n**s off."

McDowell believes he had taken LSD at Glastonbury Tor shortly before the incident on June 6.

He pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or disorderly behaviour causing somebody to suffer harassment, alarm or distress.

McDowell also admitted causing criminal damage to a vehicle belonging to Christopher Gayle before Somerset Magistrates.

Stuart Sampson, prosecuting, said the victim was driving along Bere Lane, Glastonbury, at 11.20pm when he saw the defendant naked and standing in the middle of the road.

He told the court: "He slowed down and stopped and McDowell faced the van rambling and swearing and then ran towards it, slamming and punching the bonnet and windscreen causing a dent.

"He then threw himself at the van and grabbed the windscreen wiper and ripped it off, waving it around in an aggressive manner.

"The victim was frightened and concerned but was able to drive away and called the police."

Police say the defendant was clearly under the influence of a substance as his pupils were dilated.

Mr Sampson added: "The defendant recalled going to The Springs at the bottom of Glastonbury Tor and did some meditation and said he took some Acid and had a mental fail.

"He said he was tripping his n**s off and did not know where his clothes were but said taking the Acid had done it adding that he would pay for any damage from his benefits."

Louise Eaves, mitigating, said the behaviour did not match the "thoroughly pleasant" young man she had met in court.

She said: "This supports the fact that not only does he drink, but he had also taken some Acid, which from his experience was how he felt at the time.

"He went to the Chalice at the bottom of Glastonbury Tor where a lot of people congregate and feels that maybe he came into contact with some Acid without realising it and his behaviour was bizarre in the extreme."

She also told the court the defendant had recently suffered from mental health issues but had only received minimal assistance.

"He lost his job and accommodation and went back to the life of a New Age traveller," she said.

"However, he has very much lost his way and his cannabis use has also caused him some issues."

McDowell, of Kenward House, Wells, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay the victim £20 compensation along with £45 towards costs and a £20 victim surcharge.