The deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Mr Peter Robinson, has been convicted along with DUP councillor Ruth Patterson of obstructing a road in a sectarian flashpoint in his constituency in September 2002.
Mr Robinson was the Stormont minister responsible for roads when the obstruction happened. He insisted that his decision to block Albertbridge Road in his East Belfast constitutency for a loyalist street party on September 28, 2002, was "right for the people I represent."
The former Roads Minister was speaking outside Belfast Magistrates Court after he was convicted. Both escaped a fine after Resident Magistrate Sarah Creanor said their obvioius intention was to keep the peace and protect people's lives.
"Reluctantly I feel they committed the offence of obstructing free passage along the road but in the circumstances I propose to give them an absolute discharge," said Mrs Creanor.
Prosecutor Tessa Kitson told the court that police became aware that residents in a sectarian flashpoint area intended to hold a street party on Albertbridge Road, a main arterial route into and out of Belfast.
Ms. Kitson said Inspector Lyttle advised Mr Robinson and Mrs Patterson that authority had not been obtained to close the road.
However, they continued to obstruct the traffic while about 70 women and children set up tables and stalls for a street party which caused major disruption of traffic."
She said both defendants were cautioned at the scene. Mr Robinson said: "I did it to stop anything worse developing," and Mrs Patterson made no reply.
Mrs Patterson recalled hearing a man telling Inspector Lyttle: "If you don't close the f........ road I will have 200 f....... men on the road within half an hour."
She said the the involvement of a possibly paramilitary element added a new dimension to the virtual battle ground that was Cluan Place.