THE man known as the “Naked Rambler” was yesterday jailed for three months for refusing to wear clothes during a court appearance. Sheriff Gordon Liddle ordered Stephen Gough, 46, to cover himself while in the dock, but instead he appeared stark naked. He was led back to the cells while the case was heard in his absence.

Gough was only returned to the dock to be sentenced. Sheriff Liddle told him: “You have been given every opportunity today not to find yourself in contempt of this court. You were told it is not acceptable to appear on such a formal occasion naked but flagrantly ignored that.

“I do not think I have come across a clearer case of contempt of court in my professional career.”

Gough, of 171 Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, had told the sheriff that he was not showing disrespect by being naked but felt that it was natural. However, he added that he is not a naturist and does often wear clothes.

Gordon Stewart, for the defence, said that Gough had started a naked walk in the summer at Land’s End and gone as far as 25 miles north of Inverness. He had only five days’ walking left in his aim to reach John o’Groats.

Gough has previously said that he does not consider public nudity to be an offence and is striving to raise consciousness on the issue. “I don’t believe I am indecent. I am not ashamed of my body. I believe in human rights and a tolerant society,” he has said. Gough will stand trial on breaching the peace by indecent exposure next month.

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