Naked rambler cleared by sheriff

news.bbc.co.uk ^ | 4-10-2007 | staff writer

[bedolido]

The "naked rambler" Stephen Gough has been cleared of causing a breach of the peace by refusing to cover up in a public car park. Despite being convicted eight times, Sheriff Isobel Poole ruled that his latest case was not proven.

The ex-marine, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, admitted refusing to dress before being released into Saughton Prison car park in Edinburgh.

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[Zuben Elgenubi]

Isobel Poole ruled that there was insufficient evidence to show that his state of undress had caused alarm to members of the public, therefore causing a breach of the peace.

So by the same line of reasoning, if a smoker can get surrounding people to say they are not bothered by second-hand smoke, the smoker is not breaking the law. This should work well in the bars of the UK.