Naked rambler remanded in custody

Naked rambler Stephen Gough has been remanded in custody for allegedly breaching an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) banning him from going nude in public places just minutes after it was imposed.

The order was issued at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday stating that he must "wear sufficient clothing in public to at least cover his genitalia and buttocks" apart from at nudist beaches and at appropriate medical examinations.

But the 54-year-old, of Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, was arrested as he left the court naked after refusing the offer of clothing and a lift to a police station by police.

And he appeared in the dock at the same court on Friday without any clothing on.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said: "Yesterday afternoon an application was heard for an interim Asbo. That application was contested but that interim order was made."

He continued: "He was offered provision of clothing by officers which he declined. He was then offered by officers transport which would have taken him to a local police station where he would also have been provided clothing and again he declined.

"He then left the building clothed in boots and socks and rucksack and therefore when he left the building he was in breach of the order."

Gough indicated that he would plead not guilty to the breach of the order that covers all of England and Wales and is effective until May 10 and is backed by the threat of a prison sentence.

Gough also pleaded not guilty to another offence of causing harassment, alarm or distress in Basingstoke on February 27. Mr Nightingale said that a female motorist, who has a history of being sexually abused, had become distressed when she saw Gough walking naked in the street.

The court heard that Gough has 16 other offences awaiting trial and he was remanded in custody until the case could be heard at Southampton Crown Court on March 25.

https://www.gov.uk/asbo(Anti-social behaviour orders)