HAMPSHIRE’S Naked Rambler has been fined after he was found guilty of nine public order offences for walking nude in public places, including outside a primary school.

Stephen Gough, 53, pleaded not guilty to the charges of behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

However, district judge Anthony Calloway found Gough guilty of the offences, ruling that the unwitting members of the public had been “distressed” at seeing the defendant without clothes on.

He fined Gough £200 for each offence but waived payment of the fine in lieu of time served in custody.

Gough, of Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, gained notoriety in 2003 and 2005 when he walked naked from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

His refusal to wear clothes in public has led to him spending prolonged terms in prison for repeatedly breaching court rulings.

Gough was banned from entering the court after he refused to wear clothing for the trial.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said that during several of the offences Gough was seen by parents with young children who were “shocked and alarmed” at seeing him naked.

He said the offences took place at various locations, including country footpaths, Southampton city centre and at a magistrates’ court.

The nine offences occurred in a 17-day period in February this year.

In the first of the offences, Gough walked past Hurstbourne Tarrant Church of England Primary School in Andover, on February 11. None of the children were believed to have seen the defendant, the court heard.

Gough was arrested four days later after walking naked along a footpath in Eastleigh.

One female witness said: “I was offended by his actions, I was so gobsmacked I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

Mr Nightingale told Southampton Magistrates’ Court that Gough told police that he did not believe he was the cause of any alarm or distress.

The court heard that Gough was arrested at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on February 25 when he attended naked and was refused entry.

Police were called when Gough did not leave and court staff were concerned for an eight-year-old witness who was due to arrive.

In the final incident, on February 27, a motorist described how she momentarily lost control of her car and swerved into the oncoming lane when she saw Gough naked.

Tom Stevens, defending, said that his client believed his nudity was allowed under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act, which protects freedom of expression.

Mr Stevens added that Gough did not behave in a threatening manner and many of the witnesses had found his “entirely peaceful” actions amusing.

Gough remains in custody as he awaits trial for a further charge of an alleged breach of an antisocial behaviour order banning him from being naked in public.