A sheriff implored a naked rights activist to reconsider his vow to remain naked at all times when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday.
Sheriff Richard McFarlane told Stephen Gough known as the Naked Rambler for his penchant for traversing the country unclothed his behaviour was “selfish” as the cost to the public purse of keeping him in jail could be better spent.
“I plead with you to consider your position,” the sheriff said to the former soldier when he appeared naked in the dock.
Gough (52), no fixed abode, appeared to face a charge that on July 20 at Manson Terrace, Perth, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, walked naked in a public place, refused to put on clothes when asked to do so and committed a breach of the peace.
Jailed in November last year for a similar charge, Gough was released from Perth Prison on that sentence on Wednesday.
Gough declined legal representation on Thursday and said he understood the allegation to which he was pleading not guilty and was not seeking bail.
Sheriff McFarlane then asked him, “You appear before this court naked. Do you have any intention of appearing dressed in this court?”, to which Gough replied, “No.”
The sheriff who said he would not be conducting the trial then made a personal plea to Gough. He said he had a number of previous convictions for not wearing clothes in public which led to prison sentences in recent years, served in solitary confinement.
He said there was a simple solution to getting back to his home town of Southampton.
“The only thing stopping that happening (getting home) is your extraordinary position in going around naked in public,” continued the sheriff. “When is this going to stop? I just wonder what the cost to the country is in indulging in this bizarre and unlawful conduct. When will this ridiculous circle of offending stop?”
Sheriff McFarlane said Gough’s behaviour was “verging on the selfish” because it denied public funds to more deserving causes.
Gough was remanded and trial set for August 24, with an intermediate diet on August 18.