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Five Judges to hear Naked Rambler Appeals
In a letter from prison to Naturists UK member Bernard Boase, Steve Gough, aka Naked Rambler,
has confirmed that his appeals against his various convictions in Scotland will
be heard by a panel of five judges in a six-day hearing next month scheduled to
start on February 6th and end on the 14th.
Boase, who is visiting Scotland this weekend and was hoping to visit
Steve, reports him as saying:
“I'm only allowed visits on the condition that I dress. This is something
I'm not prepared to do, as you know. I'm in the process of challenging this,
but that is how it stands at the moment.
My High Court Appeals are set for 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th and 14th February in
front of five judges. I'm staying naked for that also – so who knows what will
happen – if, indeed, it does!”
The number of judges and time set aside for the hearings indicate the
importance of the legal considerations which could have a profound effect on
public nudity in Scotland.
This could be of “real significance for naturists”, said Chris Lamb who
started out with Steve and Melanie on the 874 mile walk from Land’s End to John
o’Groats on June 16th 2005. Chris reached Scotland and finished the walk in
September of that year, himself being arrested only once – in Scotland – but charges were not
pursued.
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Gough does not call himself a naturist – he’s not one to use ‘labels’.
“We’re all individuals and as such, this walk is about ‘being
yourself’”, he said. “It's much more than just a walk now”.
It’s not known what legal arguments will be presented, or whether any
witnesses will be called, but no doubt experts will have been consulted. Steve
has had over a year in prison to research and build his case and has
representation from John Good, Public Defence Solicitors Office,
who said in court in August 2006: "We are developing our attitudes to this
all the time. Maybe with global warming on the agenda we will all join Mr Gough
in his pursuit one day?" Let’s hope we won’t have to wait that long.
Given the determination Steve has continued to show, and interpretation
of the European Convention on Human Rights which in Spain has successfully been
used to turn all beaches – and more – into clothing-optional areas,
it is hoped the judges will come to a just decision free from prejudice. It is
only prejudice – against the unclothed body shown by the Sherriffs who have
repeatedly refused to allow Steve to be heard, thus pre-judging his case, and
condemning him unfairly to repeated prison terms for contempt of court – which has
kept him in jail despite both Steve and Melanie being acquitted of one case of Breach of the Peace:
“Fri 21st Oct 2005, 4.30pm: At
Dingwall Sheriff Court today, after a fairly lengthy trial, Steve and
Mel were both found not guilty of the charge of breach of the peace
that was brought against them after a motorist who saw them on the
Cromarty Bridge on 3rd October complained to the police.
However, Steve was sentenced to
two months imprisonment for a breach of bail conditions, which had been
imposed on 16th September, after he was arrested in Edinburgh on his
release from Edinburgh Prison. He will not have to serve the full two
months as from now, since he has already spent some time in custody,
but it is not clear when he might be released or where he will serve
his sentence.”
Extract from nakedwalk.org 'Daily Update'
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Naturists UK expect to have a
reporter in court for the period of the appeal and provide a full account to
our readers. More soon…
If anyone else is interested in attending the appeal hearing to learn first hand about the law in action, how individually we can bring about change and show your support for Steve , please contact Naturists UK.
About the walk...
The last Land's End to John o'Groats walk was the second undertaken by Steve, and this one saw many more
taking part at different stages than the first in 2003. Richard Collins, Naturists UK founder - pictured left with Melanie Roberts - walked
with Steve, Mel, and others following the 2005 Glastonbury
festival over a period of three days during which the BBC producer/cameraman Richard Macer was given approval to continue covering
the walk as far as Scotland
for the programme BBC One Life: The Naked Rambler.
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Submitted by Administrator on
Thursday, 18th January 2007
Last modified by Administrator on
Thursday, 8th February 2007
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