The Five Demands

No jail for ‘provocative act’ at parade (UTV)

A Scottish man has been given a suspended jail term for provoking trouble at a Royal Black Institution parade after he ran through a group of protestors.

38-year-old James Boyce from Glasgow pleaded guilty to carrying out a provocative act during the parade last Saturday.

Trouble broke out during the annual demonstration after bandsmen defied restrictions on marching past a Catholic church on Donegall Street.

He was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Boyce, a lift equipment inspector from Benvorlich Drive, Glasgow, was arrested as trouble broke out last Saturday.

Seven police officers were injured in the disorder at the annual Royal Black Institution demonstration.

Under a Parades Commission ruling The Young Conway Volunteers had been barred from passing St Patrick’s Church on Donegall Street.

According to police Boyce was identified on CCTV footage from the scene.

It emerged in court earlier this week that he travels to Northern Ireland up to four times a year to attend parades.

The father-of-two initially claimed that he just happened to come behind a protest by residents in the area.

He was due to seek for High Court bail, but a barrister confirmed the application could be struck out because his case had been dealt with.

A Courts Service spokeswoman confirmed Boyce was sentenced today after appearing before magistrates by video link and pleading guilty to the provocative act offence.

He was also ordered to pay £100 in fines and fees. A second charge against him of disorderly behaviour was withdrawn.

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