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Naked hiker jailed for 21 months
Nudist activist Steven Gough has been given 657 days in a Scottish prison only a minute after finishing his previous sentence.The BBC reports that the naked hiker has served numerous terms in jail for public nudity and appearing in court nude. He insists it's his right to bare all wherever and whenever he wants. His refusal to wear clothes has led to an epic fight with the legal system in which neither side will back down. Every time he's released from prison in Perth, Scotland, he walks out naked, straight into the arms of waiting policemen. Gough has spent much of the past ten years behind bars.
Gough once walked from Land's End to John O'Groats in the nude. That's the longest hike in the British Isles, going from the southwest to northeast tips, a distance of about 1,200 miles.
As an avid hiker and a big fan of Scotland's and England's trails, I have to say I'm impressed by anyone who has done this route, with or without clothes. Hiking in the nude is a legal gray area in the UK. Gough is generally arrested for disturbing the peace or contempt of court. While personally I don't want to see Gough's man berries while enjoying a view of the Highlands, I have to ask just who is he hurting? At a time when many thugs from the recent riots are getting lighter sentences, the persecution of Steven Gough seems a spiteful response from a legal system that doesn't like to be laughed at.
[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons. The man pictured is not Steven Gough.]
Filed under: Activism, Hiking, Europe, United Kingdom, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Katie Aug 25th 2011 2:55PM
Ok, the dumb thing here is they jail someone for hiking naked, then plaster a naked guy all over the internet...Hypocritical much?
m.e. katz Aug 25th 2011 4:35PM
Do anything you like as long as it doesn;t scare the horses..Mrs. Patrick Cambell
mrs. b Aug 25th 2011 1:47PM
I feel kind of sorry for the guy who has to hike behind him.
garabo2004 Aug 25th 2011 5:01PM
and especially if he has just passed gas.....that is awful.
JudeThom Aug 25th 2011 1:57PM
Is he good looking? Does he have a nice body? All this
counts for something. If he is firm and lean, the public
might want to ask for a "taste." And why not? Isn't
he advertising?
Dizzydaze Aug 25th 2011 2:07PM
Backpack, backpack
hide all that awful junk!
Apple Aug 25th 2011 5:01PM
Maybe a Fig Leaf, would help...keep this guy out of jail......Just asking...????LOL
Michael Palmer Aug 25th 2011 2:13PM
More like around 840 miles.
Sean McLachlan Aug 25th 2011 2:55PM
It's 840 miles by road, about 1,200 by trail, which is what he did. I say "about" because there are several variations on the route you can do.
Capwhan Aug 25th 2011 2:39PM
Too much time for a harmless thing.
Robert Aug 25th 2011 4:59PM
While not a nudist, I am big on invidual rights. I think this should be a socio/cultural (NOT a legal) issue and handled with the usual social penalties (looks, comments, laughter, all the way to ostracism if deemed necessary) rather than legal penalties. Maybe people with his courage could get us back to the Garden of Eden.
ajschrod Aug 25th 2011 2:58PM
Regardless of his dedication to the cause of nudity, we should all be reminded that as soon as our ancient ancestors realized the benefits of wearing clothes, they never went naked again. With that thought in mind, what possible justification can this guy use for his actions? You can't argue with common sense!
Ray Aug 25th 2011 5:01PM
And what are the benefits of wearing clothes?
Barb Aug 25th 2011 3:04PM
He kept dragging it on the ground leaving pecker trails for people to avoid!
com2pc Aug 25th 2011 3:14PM
Mr. Gough and ANY of His small,minority of followers need to Realize that The MAJORITY of the entire world, Wear CLOTHES by C H O I C E, And Socially and legally Gough does Not have a leg to stand on.. a Single individual , nor a tiny minority cannot fight the WORLD and the massses of society that do NOT see Things Their way !! Mr Gough is "SPITTING" Into the wind!!
Jake Aug 25th 2011 3:35PM
Leave the guy alone. He,s not hurting anyone. And to answer someones question is he fit? A person that can hike 1200 miles is definately fit. Very few people can to that. I,ve hiked thousands of miles in the Blue Ridge Mtns.
rich Aug 25th 2011 3:50PM
I knew before reading the story that it was some asshole. Why don't more women hike naked, streak, and do the things that creepy men like to do? I would much rather read about women who expose themselves.
MonkeyCheez52 Aug 25th 2011 4:09PM
Either he's nuts, or those ARE his nuts.
rodrick Aug 25th 2011 4:19PM
first of all the jokes are great...second the people who are being so hard on him morally need to look at the fact that he may be mentally ill, even from childhood.he's obviously homeless because his two addresses are the woods and the jail.
kinda feel bad for the guy.
Mr1dfull Aug 25th 2011 4:37PM
It may have been a cold day but it doesn't appear that he has a whole lot to be proud of. If I were him I'd at the least wear speedos!