Merseyside man accused of 'stirring up hatred' at Glasgow protest
PA MediaA man accused of shouting racist abuse after travelling from England to attend a protest in Glasgow has appeared in court.
Ryan Ferguson, 26, from Bootle in Merseyside, is accused of "stirring up hatred" at a demonstration in the city's Castlemilk on 8 July.
Large gatherings took place in the area and in Cranhill in Glasgow's east end last week after online speculation that men accused of serious crimes were living in both of those places.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to two charges at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Court papers state that Ferguson acted in a racially aggravated manner by shouting "racist abuse" at an unnamed person in Castlemilk.
A second charge says Ferguson communicated material a reasonable person would consider threatening, abusive or insulting also on 8 July in Cranhill.
It is claimed Ferguson posted a video on social media which contained racist remarks.
The charge says Ferguson "either intended to stir up hatred against a group of people".
It is alleged this was done based on the group being defined their "race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins or the communication of material was such that a reasonable person would consider it likely to result in hatred being stirred up against such a group."
A further hearing has been fixed for next month.
