Rambler jailed after plane strip

Gough campaigns for the right to be naked in public

Naked rambler Stephen Gough has been jailed for four months after stripping off on a passenger plane.

The 47-year-old was found guilty of charges of breach of the peace and public indecency on a flight from Southampton to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how the ex-marine spent 20 minutes in the plane's toilet before emerging with only his socks and hiking boots on.

Gough, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, had denied the charges.

The former marine, who has been in trouble with the law on numerous occasions because of his insistence on walking naked across Britain, had been travelling to an appeal court appearance to challenge a contempt of court ruling.

Gough was represented by defence agent John Good and was not present during the trial.

You don't expect someone to come out of the toilet naked Karen Hopewell Senior cabin crew member

Sheriff Noel McPartlin asked him to put on clothes prior to evidence being led but he refused and was sent to the cells.

Cabin crew from the Flybe flight told Sheriff McPartlin that on the morning of 18 May the plane was about half-full, with 53 passengers, mainly businessmen, on board.

Senior cabin crew member, Karen Hopewell, 24, said she had become a little concerned when a male had been in the toilet for about 20 minutes.

Initially, she had not noticed his state of undress but as he walked down the aisle to his seat, she saw his naked bottom and that he was only wearing socks and hiking boots.

A shocked Ms Hopewell said she twice asked the man, she identified as Gough, to put on his clothes, but he refused.

'Not appropriate'

"It was unusual," she said. "You don't expect someone to come out of the toilet naked".

She said some of the passengers were smiling and giggling.

Another crew member, Lucette Webber, 20, said two businessmen had asked her: "Are you going to do something about it. It is not appropriate."

She told them the captain was contacting the police.

The naked rambler appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

The cabin crew admitted no-one had appeared alarmed or fearful.

Gough was arrested at Edinburgh Airport and led from the aircraft in handcuffs.

He refused requests by police officers to dress.

Pc Ian Cunningham said when Gough was cautioned and charged, he replied: "It makes no sense. I was peaceful. I never saw anyone being alarmed or distressed."

Pc David Cameron said he was sitting next to Gough waiting for the other passengers to disembark.

He said some of the passengers were trying to take photographs of Gough with their mobile phones.

However, it was his impression that some of the passengers were surprised and shocked.