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Naked Rambler Stephen Gough sent back to prison for almost two years

Steve MacDougall, Courier, Perth Sheriff Court, Tay Street, Perth. General picture to go with Dave Lord story about FOI request reveals 100% rise in knife crime.
Steve MacDougall, Courier, Perth Sheriff Court, Tay Street, Perth. General picture to go with Dave Lord story about FOI request reveals 100% rise in knife crime.

The Naked Rambler was released from Perth Prison then immediately locked up again, a court has heard.

Stephen Gough, an ex-soldier and a campaigner for the right to roam unclothed, was jailed for almost two years.

The 52-year-old made his latest appearance at Perth Sheriff Court after refusing to cover up when he was freed from prison.

Before his trial began on Wednesday, the accused was warned that he also faced a contempt of court charge when he failed to wear clothes.

The court heard Gough was carrying a book, a pen and piece of paper when he was liberated on July 20, but was completely naked as he walked across the car park in Manson Terrace, just outside the prison gates.

Police were already on hand to confront the accused and PC Andrew Barron said he refused several requests to cover up.

The officer said: “He said he was expressing his own free will to be naked and wasn’t going to change his mind.”

Although Gough did not give any evidence during the brief trial, he claimed his human rights had been breached on a number of counts, including conscience and religion.

He said his actions were based on his beliefs and he believed he was “not indecent”.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher was satisfied that the police evidence of Gough’s conduct amounted to an offence, and found him guilty of committing a breach of the peace by walking naked in Manson Terrace, Perth, on July 20.

He also rejected arguments that the prosecution had contravened human rights laws.

As Gough had been released early from a sentence imposed in November, Sheriff Fletcher told him he would have to serve the remaining 237 days of that sentence.

Gough was jailed for a further 330 days for the breach of the peace, as well as a 90-day sentence for contempt of court.