David Gold ‘lost respect’ for judge who ‘did not believe 97% of men masturbated’
Former West Ham United chairman David Gold once revealed how he had a run in with a prickly judge about how many young men masturbated.
Gold sadly passed away on Wednesday (January 4) at the age of 86 following a battle with a short illness. A lifelong West Ham fan and a former co-owner of Birmingham City, Gold is said to have passed away "peacefully."
A number of interesting anecdotes about his life have come to light following his tragic passing, including one about a run-in he had with a judge concerning men's masturbation figures.
ALSO MORE: Wild life of David Gold – from porn magazine magnate to underwear-selling juggernaut
Gold appeared in court for the publication of the magazines New Direction, In Depth and several other titles as well as two paperback books, Lesbian Lovers and A Woman’s Look at Oral Love.
The former West Ham owner was cleared of the offences levelled against him after jurors reached a unanimous verdict in his favour, but he reserved plenty of ire for judge Lord King Hamilton in his autobiography.
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"Clearly he was a man so against sexual freedom that he should have made it known during or before the case," Gold claimed in his autobiography.
Reflecting on the trial, he said: "How did I get the one man in history that thought this way, when my defence told him masturbation was practised by 97 per cent of the young male population?
"The judge answered, 'Do you expect me to believe that 97 per cent of the young male population have practised masturbation? Is this what you are saying to me?' My counsel reminded him that it was not an opinion but a matter of record from professional research."
He continued: "Judge King-Hamilton threw down his glasses theatrically, sighed, looked around the courtroom for effect and asked in a weary voice, 'Whatever happened to self-restraint?' That was the turning point in the case.
"The jury were looking at each other and wondering what planet this eminent man had came from. I wish I could have a debate with him now that I am confident enough to express what I think and feel, and to see whether his ideas have changed.
"Before the trial I looked up to this man because he was a judge. But I soon lost all respect for him."
Gold and co. were found not guilty for a total of twenty individual magazines and books, yet the judge still refused to give them their court costs and warned them that publishing material of such nature would bring consequences.
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