This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/19/naked-rambler-stephen-gough-jailed-asbo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Naked Rambler Stephen Gough jailed for breaching asbo Naked Rambler Stephen Gough jailed for breaching asbo
(4 months later)
The so-called Naked Rambler has been jailed once again, this time for 11 months, after he defied an order banning him from appearing in public unclothed.The so-called Naked Rambler has been jailed once again, this time for 11 months, after he defied an order banning him from appearing in public unclothed.
Stephen Gough was not allowed in court for his brief trial at Southampton crown court because he refused to put on any clothes. The 53-year-old, of Eastleigh in Hampshire, denied breaching an antisocial behaviour order (asbo), but offered no defence, and a jury took just 10 minutes to convict him.Stephen Gough was not allowed in court for his brief trial at Southampton crown court because he refused to put on any clothes. The 53-year-old, of Eastleigh in Hampshire, denied breaching an antisocial behaviour order (asbo), but offered no defence, and a jury took just 10 minutes to convict him.
Jurors were told Gough had been given an interim asbo in February stipulating that he had to cover his genitalia and buttocks when he appeared in public, apart from in a changing room, nudist beach or during a medical examination.Jurors were told Gough had been given an interim asbo in February stipulating that he had to cover his genitalia and buttocks when he appeared in public, apart from in a changing room, nudist beach or during a medical examination.
But Simon Jones, prosecuting, said Gough had left Southampton magistrates court wearing just his boots and socks. Officers had offered him clothes but he refused to take them and was arrested on the court steps still clutching the order saying he had to cover up. Jones added: "It was a flagrant disregard of a court order."But Simon Jones, prosecuting, said Gough had left Southampton magistrates court wearing just his boots and socks. Officers had offered him clothes but he refused to take them and was arrested on the court steps still clutching the order saying he had to cover up. Jones added: "It was a flagrant disregard of a court order."
Gough has been convicted 28 times for 46 offences, mainly in Scotland, where he was repeatedly arrested during attempts to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats without clothes. He has been sentenced to more than six years in prison in total.Gough has been convicted 28 times for 46 offences, mainly in Scotland, where he was repeatedly arrested during attempts to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats without clothes. He has been sentenced to more than six years in prison in total.
The court was told Gough had been convicted of nine public order counts in his home county of Hampshire.The court was told Gough had been convicted of nine public order counts in his home county of Hampshire.
Gough, a former Royal Marine, has previously said he decided to shed his clothes when it dawned on him that he – and all people – were good. His argument was that if he was good, then his body was good. "The human body isn't offensive," he told the Guardian in an interview while in jail in Perth. "If that's what we're saying, as human beings, then it's not rational." Explaining why he was prepared to give up his liberty, he said: "People often have to go to prison for many years before others see the light."Gough, a former Royal Marine, has previously said he decided to shed his clothes when it dawned on him that he – and all people – were good. His argument was that if he was good, then his body was good. "The human body isn't offensive," he told the Guardian in an interview while in jail in Perth. "If that's what we're saying, as human beings, then it's not rational." Explaining why he was prepared to give up his liberty, he said: "People often have to go to prison for many years before others see the light."
Sentencing Gough on Wednesday, the judge, Sarah Munro QC, said this particular offence was serious because it was a breach of a court order. Though she accepted that Gough believed he had a right to shed his clothes, she added: "This is a much more serious offence than the other public order offences. I take the view only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate."Sentencing Gough on Wednesday, the judge, Sarah Munro QC, said this particular offence was serious because it was a breach of a court order. Though she accepted that Gough believed he had a right to shed his clothes, she added: "This is a much more serious offence than the other public order offences. I take the view only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate."
The judge said Gough would be eligible for release on 14 August as he had served time on remand.The judge said Gough would be eligible for release on 14 August as he had served time on remand.
Eastleigh borough council and Hampshire police had jointly applied for the original asbo and it is believed they will seek a permanent order in August.Eastleigh borough council and Hampshire police had jointly applied for the original asbo and it is believed they will seek a permanent order in August.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.