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Judges turn down appeal by Rambler

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Published Date: 08 November 2007
SENIOR judges have rejected a human rights appeal by the Naked Rambler over contempt findings against him for refusing to dress for court appearances.
Stephen Gough claimed he had been denied a fair hearing after sheriffs found him guilty of contempt of court.

He also maintained that to appear naked in court was a right guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights.

But five judges at the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh disagreed.

Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill, said: "The appearance of anyone in court naked, whatever crimes that may constitute, is unquestionably a contempt."

Gough, 47, of Eastleigh, Hampshire, who was not brought into court for the judges' ruling, has twice walked naked from Land's End to John O'Groats, interrupted by a series of arrests.

He was found guilty of contempt of court by four sheriffs at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Two jailed him for three months and two months respectively. Two cases have still to be sentenced.



The full article contains 165 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 08 November 2007 11:40 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Naked Rambler
 
1

alex paterson,

embra 08/11/2007 12:38:00

Why cant this pest,costing plenty in courts be transported back to where he came from and save us a waste of time.

2

WeeKeef,

Cell Block H 08/11/2007 13:02:03

Better still, why not send to him to prison (again) but this time insist that he spends his time there naked. I'm sure his cell mate and the other chaps in the shower block will be very understanding.

3

alex paterson,

embra 08/11/2007 13:06:36

#2 Great idea thats when he will find out what soap is really for in the showers.

4

Hangmhigh,

08/11/2007 13:17:46

#2 He does spend his time in prison naked but not in mainstream. He spends his time in isolation away from other prisoners.

5

The Naked Gambler,

08/11/2007 13:29:20

How odd, even he must have known the odds were against him.

Who knows what is next, I wouldn't roulette anything

6

Paul Voltaire,

08/11/2007 14:04:40

#1 Excellent idea,Alex.
Extradite him back to Hampshire.
They can deal with the eejit down there.

7

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 08/11/2007 16:00:51

#1:

"Why cant this pest,costing plenty in courts be transported back to where he came from and save us a waste of time."

Or alternatively, if he wants to walk about naked, let him. He's hardly doing any harm is he? He's the one who's going to freeze his nuts off, not anyone else.

8

scorchio,

West of the Pecos 08/11/2007 18:20:46

There's a solution to this, let him wander around the lion enclosure at the zoo in his birthday suit.
Alternatively, lock this bam up and throw away they key.
#9 You might want to join him ya plank.

9

Boy Wonder,

08/11/2007 20:19:18

Has anyone considered this man has a Mental Health problem and should be sectioned?? Your own personal nudity is one thing ... but to flaunt it in front of everyone, including kids, is surely an indication of deeper problems?

10

I'mallymax,

Orwellian nightmare; Godless scottish courts. 19/01/2008 02:17:15
Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Gill, said: "The appearance of anyone in court naked, whatever crimes that may constitute, is unquestionably a contempt."

I find there's too much moralising from the bulpit in Scotland now. From an ethical standpoint, morality is only the value credence deserves. So if I'm not bothered if the rambler is naked, why should he have 12 scottish charges, and 2 years in prison for something we as a nation of tolerants are not bothered about?

Having said this, Mr Gough, aka, 'the naked rambler', has stated he needs no justification to wear clothes while he worships God; but our scottish judges say he does have to waer clothes?

For judges to sit in honour while crown prosecution lawyers try to eroniously prosecute mr Gough with 'indecency' is a travesty of the term being used by said lawyers. Moreover, every court of the land requires the plaintiff, witnesses and defendents to 'swaer to tell the truth' on the bible, (King Jmes 1611), so why is it not legally moral to praise God by
telling the truth with clothes off, but legally moral to praise God by by telling lies with clothes on? (Bliar in HM court of westminster palace/house of commons).

I find the scottish system of law here is fu*cking too much with people's everyday rights in the name of morality. Ethically, the court system in scotland is purely the old-time feudal system in M.O. In other words, we as the minnions of the land exist to laud the lords and the elites. B*ll*cks to that, I'd rather take my clothes off! Keep on keeping on Mr Gough, you're making the scottish law system, and their judges, look ridiculous.

 

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