to think this man is not a criminal?

[AtYourCervix]

Who actually cares enough to send this chap to prison? Why? Is he dangerous? Is he disgusting? Is he a criminal? here

BEING NAKED IS NOT ILLEGAL.

It's petty minded arseholes objecting to said nudity that makes it a criminal offence(Public Order offences)

Indecent exposure is only valid if the nudity is in a sexual context.

I'm all for nudity/naturism...it would certainly give people more realistic expectations of women's bodies, and be a major slap in the face to the Beauty Porn industry.

Petty minded arseholes?

Like, nearly everyone except an "enlightened" few?

This all sounds pretty standard teenage hippy to me.

havent read the whole thread but YABU I dont want to see twig and giggleberries when Im walking down the road thanks very much.

Naturists on naturists beaches surroundings, fine (silly argument tbh)

I certainly don't want to be having other people's pubes dropping into my strawberries at the supermarket thanks nor do I relish seeing flaccid penis' while walking up the street.

If he wants to go naked, go to a naturists venue but then he is not going to get the attention he is seeking.

There's something amiss with him though that makes it worthwhile to be in prison for the best part of 10 years just to go starkers.

Why only ten years though? This is a sudden 'urge' to be naked then.......wasn't present during his teens? or any other time.

Attention seeking started 10 years ago

Ok some of the opinions on here are a bit worrying, would the Supporters of the Swinging Knob be ok if I decided I wanted to shag in my local park just because I think it infringes my rights to have to have sex indoors?? Im not harming anyone right?

Why is nudity acceptable in the context of Advertising/Media; with it's hypersexualised imagery, but not here?

Have a look in the pages of Vogue, there's a far greater sickness on display there then some hairy scotsman with his dick out...

Oh, and not a hippie, just someone who isn't ashamed by nudity. The Original Sin doctrine is just a tad too medieval for my liking.

southmum

As both myself and thistledew have posted, nudity isn't illegal. Alfresco sex IS though.

What has caused the persecution of Stephen Gough is other people's hysterical over-reaction. If no-one complained, then no offence would be taking place, and the police would be powerless to stop him.

Other people's reactions are causing this "crime"

It's not just him tho...... If he is allowed to go naked, then anyone could. Can't you see how hard that would be to keep everyone safe?

If it was lawful then how would it integrate into everyday life?

Naked policeman?
Naked teacher?
Naked doctor.......

Nudity isn't acceptable in the context of advertising/media, they always cover up the willies and fannies and usually the bosoms.

So.. now it's hysterical and unhinged to approve of the social convention of clothing?

Please.

Yes, Cog, you're a hippy. Bet you wear Birkies.

What has caused the persecution of Stephen Gough is other people's hysterical over-reaction. If no-one complained, then no offence would be taken

That's not the case Cognitive

From the article:

But Sheriff Michael Fletcher rejected Gough's defence and found him guilty of conducting himself in a disorderly manner by walking naked, refusing to put clothes on, and breaching the peace in Manson Terrace, Perth, on 20 July.

Sheriff Fletcher said: "The court expects people to come here in a decent state of dress. That has been explained to you in the past. I gave you the opportunity to dress yourself."

He was also found guilty of contempt of court.

*"Why is nudity acceptable in the context of Advertising/Media; with it's hypersexualised imagery, but not here?

Have a look in the pages of Vogue, there's a far greater sickness on display there then some hairy scotsman with his dick out..."*

I suppose if you do not want to see the sickness in Vogue you just do not buy it. A bit different to going to get your groceries and being "confronted" by a naked man near the fruit and veg without having any choice in the matter.

By the same token, would you think if someone does not complain of being beaten up/raped/ have goods stolen from them it make the action a lesser one? If you do not mind a naked man walking arround while you shop or go to the park that is fine but the vast majority of people it seems are bothered by it.

I think, even without being ashamed of nudity, in some social context, it is just not appropriate.

I love the idea that the minute something is no longer criminalised we will all rush out and do it! Social convention is enough to make most people behave within narrow boundaries. I also can't see employers relaxing the dress code for staff quite that far.

This about how society reacts to someone with different values that on the face of it cause no harm other than an intangible notion of "outraged decency" in the minds of some, but not all.

The fact that some people think that the criminal law, society's ultimate sanction, is the appropriate respose is really interesting. It tells us a lot about ourselves.

"fannies...willies...bosoms"

Good Lord! Are you an elderly maiden aunt? Amazed you had the audacity to type the words without starring them out.

Was "hippy" meant as an insult BTW? I'm more of a Converse gal, Birkies are shite for sports.

nesbo

How else could he be stopped? He has been ignoring the law for a decade. He is considered to be sane so is not sectionable under The Mental Health Act, he offends the majority, refuses to go to naturists establishments and refuses to obey the law.

I would be fairly certain that counselling etc. would have been offered in jail or before.

I am a loss as to think what other tools there are available to stop him.

Do you have any ideas?

Never said everyone would rush out and do it

But some would...... And what dress code? If employers can insist on clothes then gough would have to wear them at work! Did he even 'work'

The "contempt of Court" ruling was at the judge's discretion. Mr Gough could just as easily got that for chewing gum.

I dont care if its illegal or not (although I am pretty sure he is doing something illegal in one form or another), its socially the 'done' thing to wear clothing when out and about, but this moron thinks he can do what he likes so as I say, I want to have sex on the seesaw in my local park, not harming anyone,, and I will simply screech Hysterical Overreation if someone objects.

Yes indeed, this dude isnt being hysterical at all is he?

Right, I'm off to drag some clothes onto my recidivist children and brave the hell of "Messy Play"

It's been a blast...

Sleep well in the fire...

Cognitive, I do not for one second believe you would have taken your DCs naked to messy play had it not been for this thread. Unless they are babies which is not the case of the grown man in OP.

Can you imagine naked bodies in the ball pool and going down the slide......

ouch at "down the slide"!

oh dear - fannies and willies mean I'm an elderly maiden aunt and therefore hysterical

and oh dear at converse too