181 replies to this topic

[Whopper MacBig]

'Naked rambler' back in cells

The man dubbed the "naked rambler" has been arrested again - only hours after being freed from a court and pledging to continue his nude trek.
Stephen Gough, 44, was admonished at Dingwall Sheriff Court, where he wore only a blue blanket tied round his waist.

He had been found guilty of conducting himself in a disorderly manner and committing a breach of the peace when he was seen walking naked in woods near Tore in Ross-shire.

Despite being warned that he faced a more serious sentence if he persisted with his naked walk from Land's End to John O'Groats, Gough was arrested on the Cromarty Bridge later on Friday afternoon.

He is due to appear on a breach of the peace charge at Dingwall Sheriff Court on Monday.

Gough, of Eastleigh, Hampshire, had represented himself when he appeared at the same court earlier on Friday.

He said he was "aiming to prove to society that the naked human form was acceptable".

Concern for children

During the trial he broke down crying and said he was not doing anybody any harm.

He said: "Occasionally people have expressed that I am doing harm to children. I do not feel that is the case."

Kathleen MacDonald, 52, who lives near the wooded area where Gough had been walking naked on 27 August, told the court she "felt quite intimidated" by what she saw and decided to telephone the police.

She said: "My concern was that there were a lot of people in the woods, such as people exercising and even young children."

Sergeant George Nicholson told the court that he apprehended Gough with other officers after receiving a number of complaints.

Sheriff MacFadyen warned Gough, who is separated and has no previous convictions: "The more you appear in court, the more serious penalties you will have to face."

[Whopper MacBig]

:grin:

I feel sorry for him - what's worse, his obsession with walking about as nature intended or the Victorian-era prudes that keep reporting him?

It's not as if he's sticking it in anybody's face is it? Are we the only race on the planet that takes the view that our natural state is offensive?

[MaW]

I think we are, and personally I think it's wrong.

But I'm far too much of a coward to join this guy. Plus I doubt it'd go down well next time I apply to the Specials. Criminal record: indecent exposure...

[Whopper MacBig]

But I'm far too much of a coward to join this guy. Plus I doubt it'd go down well next time I apply to the Specials. Criminal record: indecent exposure...

:grin:

Indecent? Speak for yourself - my body is something between a temple and a work of art.

[stephen]

Yeah my bodies a temple too whopper just a pity its in need of restoration Mines not yours i hasten to add...although i must make it clear i have never seen whoppers temple

[Whopper MacBig]

i have never seen whoppers temple

Virgins, offerings, fountains, huge chaise-longues and god-like worship


The vision of which is eventually interrupted by an elbow in the ribs, kids trampolining on stomach and demands for breakfast.

[MaW]

Oh, my body's fantastic Whopper - but for some reason I can never convince the girls of this!

[support]

The story below appeared on the BBC website recently concerning the naked rambler who had completed 2 trips from lands end to the very far north of scotland, and along the way had been arrested a few times.

This kind of got me around to thinking what would you do if you seen the naked rambler walking past you, and how the public see the naked human body and the law.

From what I understand the rambler though naked does no indecent acts.

On one hand I can understand his point about the human body, but on the other hand I can understand the public and courts being offended, though I have to wonder if a prison sentence is the answer to the problem.

Should we allow naked people to walk our streets, as I can't find any law in england and wales which makes an offence of being naked in a public place though I sure a breach of the peace or indecent exposure could be used as a holding charge whilst advice was sought from a higher authority such as the csp or custody skipper.

Should naked rambling be made legal ?

Before anyone starts to worry I am keeping my clothes on in public.

Just thought if we all walked around naked how would you recognise the police... lol ..lol

C.






Naked rambler jailed for contempt

Gough was arrested several times on his journey

Naked Rambler Stephen Gough has been jailed for two months for appearing naked in the dock from custody.

Mr Gough, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, completed his second naked trek from Lands End to John O'Groats last week.

He had been arrested on Wednesday for walking naked into Edinburgh Sheriff Court to face previous charges.

On Thursday, he again refused to cover himself and Sheriff Derrick McIntyre found him in contempt of court, telling him he was "offensive".

Mr Gough and his partner Melanie Roberts, 34, from Bournemouth, reached the north coast of Caithness last Monday after an 874-mile trek which began in June.

He was arrested and jailed on several occasions during his naked walk.

The 46-year-old ex-marine said he wanted to challenge public attitudes to nudity.

[sarin]

There is a sad story behind the naked rambler. He left his family (wife and kids) to pursue his naked rambling ambitions. His wife has asked him to pay maintenance and yet he refuses so that he may continue in his quest to promote acceptance of nudity.

I accept nudity. I also accept that we are not primates and have evolved somewhat from our hairy & naked predecessors. Current social attitudes towards nudity are not as open as the naked rambler wants. He therefore offends the sensibility of myself & many. If he accepted his family responsibility AND pursued his naked ambitions I would have some sort of respect for his intentions. I however have no respect for him & think he has gone loopy. The man needs medical help and family councelling, not egging on...His children are paying the price of his naked crusade.

[MJP]

I don't think indecent exposure sticks unless the guy has 'wood' etc.. and you always had to offer someone naked and not 'indecent' the opportunity to cover up or no offence was committed.
It might stick under s5 PO, especially with this new 'no need to warn' business, but I think its entirely subjective. When its someone clearly doing a charity event like the naked rambler and its well publicized, i dont think theres any intent to offend, only to challenge public morals and there is a differance. A naked body imho isnt offensive per se and unless someone was acting in a manifestly dodgy manner, hiking in the nude, whilst not for me (I'd want at least 3 if not 4 layers of clothing in this country) isn't something i'd bat an eyelid at.

[DGP]

There is no offence of breach of the peace or idescent exposure in England and Wales.

BoP is a complaint at common law and would have to involve some threat of harm to others or property. The new offence of exposure requires an intent to cause alarm, harassment or distress. Naked rambling satisfies neither.

People have been not guilty of Section 5 for nakedness and it could be hard to prove that someone is likely to be alarmed etc in this current day and age.

I am not sure that criminal law could be suitably applied. However, a local authority could seek a Public Nuisance Injunction, which may be a remedy to the behaviour.

[LeftyLaureate]

There is no offence of breach of the peace or idescent exposure in England and Wales.

BoP is a complaint at common law and would have to involve some threat of harm to others or property. The new offence of exposure requires an intent to cause alarm, harassment or distress. Naked rambling satisfies neither.

I love to see a person who knows their BoP from their elbow, you really don't know how excited it makes me!

[AdyB]

No I don't think it should be legal purely because you'd only get mad old men doing it! A scenario that does not float ones boat!

[Barry1987]

No I don't think it should be legal purely because you'd only get mad old men doing it! A scenario that does not float ones boat!

Plenty of naturists about, young and old, male and female.

[Unnecessary naughty word removed]

Edited by David, 04 March 2006 - 09:00 AM.

[Gabba]

Naked Rambler, Should naked rambling be legal? NO!!

I don't want to visit the Lake District with my family and come across a load of Naked people walking down a hill, the same way I don't want to go to tescos and see a naked person shopping, if they want to do it then go some were the won't offend other people.

[Watchdog]

I used to be extremely shy but 16 years in the military, where modesty (even between males and females) isn't always practical, has broken down many of my inhibitions so I don't have a problem with nudity.

Unlike this rambler though, I don't believe in waving it about in front of people's faces (metaphorically speaking) and feel that there's a time and a place. I live on a coastal town where topless sunbathing is accepted and nudity on the beach is not unknown. My decision not to partake in such activity is not based upon modesty but in consideration of those around me who may object. I don't think that we've quite reached the point where a clothing optional lifestyle should be practised beyond such places.

This guy is obviously extremely comfortable with nudity. However, he should accept that many people are equally uncomfortable. Consideration and compromise is what's required....On both sides. There are actually several naturist rambling groups in the UK. Such groups generally confine their activity to remote country areas and adorn clothing if they encounter non-naturists. I think that this is perfectly acceptable and probably does more good for the naturist cause that stomping naked up and down public highways proclaiming "I'm naked...Live with it!"

[AdyB]

Plenty of naturists about, young and old, male and female.

[Unnecessary naughty word removed]

I know, I was being jovial.

[g_attrill]

This is his website: http://nakedwalk.org/

I think he had most problems in Scotland - a three month prison sentence for BoP and a (I think) further one month for contempt of court in the recent trek.

Gareth

[TinaTina]

Nudity is a lovely feeling, I often walk around the house naked and do all the housework on the weekend naked (get to hot otherwise) of course I do this with the curtains closed, but the sence of freedom is lovely, have sunbathed naked when I know the neighbours are out, again, a lovley feeling, dont know if I could go rambling naked though

[David]

Chit-chat removed.

[sarin]

...I wonder why the above posts were removed ...

[Watchdog]

...I wonder why the above posts were removed ...

David was doing some house-keeping on the forum this morning and probably thought that the posts were taking the thread in a smutty direction. He probably wasn't far wrong (it isn't the locker room after all). I blame TinaTina personally.

But before we head off in the same direction again

There seems to be some ambiguity over this guy's campaign. Press reports (linked in earlier post) seem to be very positive. I don't know, perhaps British sensibilities are becoming more relaxed. If it's alright with everyone though, I'll still be keeping my kit on. Wouldn't want all you guys feeling insignificant. Oops, sorry David....There I go lowering the tone again.

Edited by Watchdog, 05 March 2006 - 02:14 PM.

[nathan123]

My opinion no it should not be legal, that is if indeed it is illegal in it's own.

I believe Section 5 POA would suffice, people will probably be alarmed, I would.

No warning is needed under Section 5 POA any more but a warning would make better evidence that the offender knew or ought to have known that he would cause HAD.

[Lior]

Offensive weapon?

[Tom]

83 more days behind bars for Naked Rambler
THE Naked Rambler has been ordered to serve a further 83 days in prison after picking up his 11th conviction for breach of the peace.

Stephen Gough, 48, was picked up by police officers on July 31 on his release from Saughton prison wearing only a pair of boots.

A number of pedestrians and motorists witnessed Gough, and one driver even tooted his car horn at him. He denied his nudity amounted to a breach of the peace at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

But Sheriff Kathrine Mackie disagreed and ordered him back to prison - where he has been almost continuously for the last 16 months.

His solicitor, John Good, pointed out that the jail time he had served was the equivalent of a three-year term, but said his client still refused to wear clothes and planned to continue his solitary confinement at Saughton. He told the court: "It is Mr Gough's position that people should not be afraid of the human state."

The ex-Marine, who comes from Hampshire, was originally arrested during a trek the length of Britain as part of a campaign for the advocacy of public nudity.

Edinburgh Evening news

Edited by tom, 04 September 2007 - 04:44 PM.