Stephen Gough Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Nudity

Story here.

Stephen Gough, 50, was jailed for 21 months after being found guilty of breaching the peace and being in contempt of court.
Gough turned down an offer of freedom if he got dressed - and was warned he could spend many more years in prison.

Gough Plays the Insanity Card

No, Naked Rambler Stephen Gough is not claiming to be insane, he's declaring the Scottish justice system to be insane.

The ex-Royal Marine, 50, says: "To live by beliefs that are irrational, that are not based in reality, means that I suffer.

"How do I know what is rational or true? By questioning my beliefs and being honest with myself."

He adds: "Why am I naked? Because I believe the human body is not indecent, harmful or bad.

"If it were true, it would mean I am also indecent and it would mean I'd be divided against myself.

"If I lived in a truly free and sane society, I wouldn't be arrested and imprisoned for simply being naked.

"By refusing to comply with an irrational request to get dressed, I'm bringing attention to a contradiction that exists in our society.

"A society, so we are told, that founds its justice system on truth and reason. So surely, if there is some error in the system we will want it pointed out urgently. That is exactly what I'm doing."

He adds that he understands going out naked goes against what is "normal and customary" but says "what is normal isn't always healthy".

It is also reported that people will be gathering to protest at Gough's sentencing next week, and that a naked run through London is planned in support of his cause.

Is Canada's Nudity Ban Unconstitutional?

That's precisely what attorney Clayton Ruby intends to prove in defending Bracebridge resident Brian Coldin against two nudity charges. Due to weakness in evidence, two charges have already been dropped.

“We’re pleased to have them withdrawn, because that means the Crown’s acknowledged they can’t prove them,” said Ruby. “(And that’s) after getting the consent of the Attorney General (to have the charges laid), I might add. I wonder what he was told?”...In defending Coldin, Ruby said he will be raising the constitutionality of Section 174 of the Criminal Code of Canada, which states that it is an offence if one is nude in a public place, or is nude in a private place, but is exposed to public view.

Earlier stories here, here, here and here.
Brian Coldin's Facebook page is here.