Sectarian chants at Orange Walk nearly led to riot

Apr 17 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A YOUNG Perth man who almost sparked a riot by shouting sectarian slogans during an Orange march was ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service.

Unemployed William Houghton (20) caused uproar by taunting passers-by as St Andrews True Blues Loyal Orange Order held a controversial procession in the heart of the Fair City.

Fiscal depute Janine Bates said police following the marchers were forced to step in at around 6.30pm last June 28 after they became aware of Houghton’s shenanigans.

“The accused was seen to be with a small number of members of the public walking along beside the Orange Lodge marchers,” she told the court.

“As the march walked down South Street, the accused who was wearing a Glasgow Rangers football top was seen to point to the football club badge on his shirt and started to repeatedly shout, “f*** the Pope”.

“He was warned about his actions but continued to shout loudly and was arrested for breach of the peace.”

Houghton’s solicitor Paul Ralph said his client had been “stupid”.

“Others had shouted something and he thought maybe he would be seen to be supporting people on the march,” said the agent.

“In many respects he is lucky the police officers were there.”

Houghton, of Strathtay Road, pled guilty to an offence aggravated by religious prejudice of conducting himself in a disorderly manner, shouting and swearing in an offensive manner, refusing to desist and committing a breach of the peace.