This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6542329.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Naked rambler cleared by sheriff | Naked rambler cleared by sheriff |
| (about 7 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. | "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 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. |