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Naked rambler cleared by sheriff | Naked rambler cleared by sheriff |
(about 5 hours later) | |
"Naked rambler" Stephen Gough has been cleared of causing a breach of the peace by refusing to cover up in a public car park. | |
Despite being convicted eight times, Sheriff Isobel Poole ruled that his latest case was not proven. | Despite being convicted eight times, Sheriff Isobel Poole ruled that his latest case was not proven. |
The ex-marine, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, admitted refusing to dress before being released into Saughton Prison car park in Edinburgh. | The ex-marine, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, admitted refusing to dress before being released into Saughton Prison car park in Edinburgh. |
He successfully argued that his naked state had not distressed others. | He successfully argued that his naked state had not distressed others. |
I can understand this conduct could be considered unpleasant to passers-by had there been any Sheriff Isobel Poole | I can understand this conduct could be considered unpleasant to passers-by had there been any Sheriff Isobel Poole |
Isobel Poole ruled that there was insufficient evidence to show that his state of undress had caused alarm to members of the public, therefore causing a breach of the peace. | Isobel Poole ruled that there was insufficient evidence to show that his state of undress had caused alarm to members of the public, therefore causing a breach of the peace. |
She told Edinburgh Sheriff Court Sheriff court that in this case there was no evidence of "actual alarm or disturbance". | She told Edinburgh Sheriff Court Sheriff court that in this case there was no evidence of "actual alarm or disturbance". |
She added: "I can understand this conduct could be considered unpleasant to passers-by had there been any but there is a lack of evidence to that effect." | She added: "I can understand this conduct could be considered unpleasant to passers-by had there been any but there is a lack of evidence to that effect." |
Fiscal Depute Naeema Sajid had argued unsuccessfully that because the Saughton car park was visited by a variety of people, including children, an offence had been committed. | Fiscal Depute Naeema Sajid had argued unsuccessfully that because the Saughton car park was visited by a variety of people, including children, an offence had been committed. |
Boots and rucksack | Boots and rucksack |
Gough is currently awaiting a High Court decision on his appeal against contempt of court convictions for refusing to cover up in the dock. | Gough is currently awaiting a High Court decision on his appeal against contempt of court convictions for refusing to cover up in the dock. |
Last year the ex-marine was jailed for four months for stripping off in the toilet of a plane flying from Southampton to Edinburgh. | Last year the ex-marine was jailed for four months for stripping off in the toilet of a plane flying from Southampton to Edinburgh. |
He has also been convicted of walking into Edinburgh Sheriff Court naked, appearing naked in the dock and of walking through Midlothian wearing only boots and a rucksack. | He has also been convicted of walking into Edinburgh Sheriff Court naked, appearing naked in the dock and of walking through Midlothian wearing only boots and a rucksack. |
He first hit the headlines when he rambled from Land's End to John O'Groats in a bid to raise awareness of his belief that people should be allowed to appear in their natural state. | He first hit the headlines when he rambled from Land's End to John O'Groats in a bid to raise awareness of his belief that people should be allowed to appear in their natural state. |