A Dundee man who got fed up with churchgoers parking “dangerously” during Sunday service sent an offensive letter to the priest.
In the letter, he called the congregation “Papes” and also shouted and swore, calling them a “bunch of hypocrites” before threatening one of them with violence.
Bruce McKenzie Findlay, 59, of Balerno Street, admitted causing a breach of the peace, but his solicitor Ian Houston told the court there was no religious aggravation as Findlay himself is a Catholic.
He said he was merely “frustrated and angry” and took his anger out on the congregation of St Pius Church, Balerno Street, on February 23.
He admitted placing a note in the hands of James Walls, acting in his capacity as the priest, and that he did shout, swear, gesticulate and threaten violence towards the lieges and repeatedly make offensive comments regarding the Catholic faith.
The court was told the note said: “How many times do you Papes have to be told, kids are crossing, do something before a kid is killed.”
When Findlay then started calling them a bunch of hypocrites, one of the congregation tried to intervene to calm the situation down but Findlay said he would “punch his p**”.
Solicitor Ian Houston said Findlay had been complaining for some months about parking in Balerno Street.
He said there was a roundabout and they even parked there and the accused was concerned it would lead to an accident.
“He lost his temper and he has since apologised to the priest,” Mr Houston said.
Sheriff Watson deferred sentence on Findlay for three months for good behaviour.