‘Naked rambler’ heads to jail for breaching Asbo

Stephen Gough, 53, of Eastleigh, Hampshire, was not allowed in court for his trial after he refused to wear clothes. He had denied the charge but offered no defence during the hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Simon Jones, prosecuting, said the naked rights activist left Southampton Magistrates’ Court on February 28 after being handed the interim order and walked, wearing just his boots and socks, to the road where he was arrested while still holding the order saying he must cover his buttocks and genitalia.

The jury was told that police offered Gough clothes to cover himself, but he refused to take them.

The former Royal Marine has already been convicted of nine public order counts in Hampshire of going naked in public.

The jurors returned their guilty verdict in less than 10 minutes.

Sentencing Gough, judge Sarah Munro QC said: “This is a much more serious offence than the other public order offences. In those circumstances I take the view only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate.”

She said that Gough, who has been on remand, will be eligible for release on August 14.

The judge joked to the jury that she was not sure it was a shame they had not seen the defendant.