Mental check for rambler

Friday 24 August 2012

A SHERIFF has ordered the Naked Rambler's mental health to be assessed after convicting him of a breach of the peace.

STEPHEN GOUGH: Appeared tearful during his court hearing.

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Hilary Duncanson

Stephen Gough, 53, who represented himself, sat naked in the dock at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in Fife throughout his two-hour trial on the single charge, which centred on his actions days after he was last released from prison.

Gough, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, was convicted yesterday of committing a breach of the peace on July 20 by walking naked in a public place near a children's play park in the Townhill area of Dunfermline, Fife. He has spent much of the past six years in prison on similar charges.Sheriff James Williamson deferred sentence on Gough until next month and ordered social workers to produce a report independently assessing Gough's emotional and mental health.Gough, who was ordered to sit down in the dock, has long fought for his right to appear naked in public. He appeared tearful at points during the hearing when witnesses recalled their shock and discomfort upon seeing the unclothed man in their community.His voice cracked as he told the court: "There is nothing about me as a human being that is indecent or alarming or offensive."Sheriff Williamson later expressed his concern about the accused's demeanour, after finding the charge against him proven beyond reasonable doubt. He did so after Gough told him he had no intention of changing his ways and did not believe he was doing anything wrong.The sheriff told Gough: "I have to say, there were certain points in your evidence, certain points in your summing-up, where I was a bit concerned about your emotional behaviour. I was a bit concerned as to whether or not you were in control of yourself."What I'm going to do, and you may not understand this, is defer sentence at this stage for a criminal justice social work report. I want someone independently to see what they make of you and whether or not your mental health is all it should be."Because unfortunately, in the absence of any good reason otherwise, you're going to end up serving prison sentence after prison sentence."Gough will be sentenced at the same court on September 13.Gough was allowed to leave Perth Prison on July 17 and he was not re-arrested, in an apparent change of approach by Tayside Police.However, Fife Police arrested him near Dunfermline three days later.When the case came to court he pled not guilty to the charge of conducting himself in a disorderly manner and committing a breach of the peace by walking naked in Cairncubie Road, close to the play park, and refusing to put on clothing or move away from the park.He also chose to represent himself, rather than have a solicitor.Constable David Moffatt, 30, spoke to Gough on July 20 after the force received three calls from members of the public. He said Gough was heading towards a populated area at the time."I asked him to cover up and he refused to do so. I asked him if he was prepared to at least step into the police vehicle so we could talk and he refused to do so as well," the officer said."He didn't understand why things should be different from region to region. He said something along the lines of 'a naked body isn't offensive'."Gough, a former Marine, was arrested shortly before 2.30pm that day.He was remanded in custody until next month's sentencing hearing.

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Mental check for rambler

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