Orange marchers admit assaulting woman who passed procession

An Orange Walk marcher has admitted spitting on a woman as she crossed their procession.

Darren Thompson, 34, pleaded guilty to pushing and spitting on Caitlin McCall on Glasgow’s West George street in July 6 this year.

Thompson’s co-accused William Carmichael, 45, also pushed Miss McCall during the incident that was captured on video.

The pair, who are members of the Drumchapel Protestant Boys Flute Band have now both pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Miss McCall.

Carmichael admitted his involvement in July while Thompson pleaded guilty today.

The court heard Miss McCall was late for work and traveling by taxi.

She got out as the cab couldn’t move further up the street due to road closures for the procession.

Prosecutor Hannah Sweeney said: “She stood on the footpath as the band was passing her.

“She identified an opening and took an opportunity to walk through the band.

“As she walked through Carmichael walked towards her and pushed her backwards.

“She passed in front of Thompson who pushed her causing her to stumble before he spat towards her with the spit ending up on the back of her jacket.”

Miss McCall was “shaken” when she arrived at work and was told to contact the police by colleagues.

She was “hesitant” as a video on social media of the incident went viral.

Police were able to identify Miss McCall, Thompson and Carmichael from the footage.

Thompson told officers: “I don’t think I spat on her” while Carmichael made no comment.

Sentence was deferred for background reports until next month by Sheriff Daniel Kelly.

Thompson, from Drumchapel, and Carmichael, from Milton, are both on bail.

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