Naked Rambler Steve Gough

HAMPSHIRE'S Naked Rambler Stephen Gough has been cleared of breaking the law after walking out of a Scottish prison in the nude.

The 47-year-old Eastleigh father of two admitted refusing to dress before being released into Saughton Prison car park in Edinburgh but successfully argued that his naked state had not distressed others.

He had been jailed for four months for stripping off in the toilet of a Flybe plane flying from Southampton to Edinburgh.

Sheriff Isobel Poole ruled that the case was not proven. She said that there was insufficient evidence to show that his state of undress had caused alarm to members of the public, therefore causing a breach of the peace.

Mr Gough, who has eight previous convictions relating to his crusade, is currently awaiting a High Court decision on his appeal against contempt of court convictions for refusing to cover up in the dock.

He has also been convicted of walking into Edinburgh Sheriff Court naked, appearing naked in the dock and of walking in public wearing only boots and a rucksack.

He has twice walked from Land's End to John O'Groats in a bid to raise awareness of his belief that people should be allowed to appear in their natural state.

6:45am today