Protester sentenced after hiding in toilet to yell at PM

Published on 03/11/2012 01:56

A PROTESTOR shouted “no public-sector cuts” at the Prime Minister after hiding in a toilet for an hour, a court has heard.

Stuart Rodger, 23, burst into the room, shouting, at a Glasgow hotel on 31 July, as David Cameron addressed hundreds of Conservatives. The political activist was tackled before being taken away by Special Branch.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court Rodger, from Inverkeithing, Fife, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by violating a security cordon, shouting and failing to desist, 
attempting to approach Mr Cameron and causing fear and alarm.

He was handed a community payback order with the condition he has to carry out 100 hours of community service, which was reduced from 150 because of his guilty plea.

Procurator fiscal depute John Slowey told the court that 
Rodger hid in a toilet prior to making his entrance.

It was heard he shouted: “No ifs, no buts, no public sector cuts.”

Rodger was previously fined £200 for committing a breach the peace after he hit the Liberal Democrat leader, and deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg with blue paint during a visit to 
Glasgow earlier this year.