Halifax man charged with yelling FHRITP at female reporter to appear in court in April

The case of a Halifax man accused of hurling a vulgar slur at a female reporter taking part in a live broadcast has been adjourned until next month.

Nash John Gracie was charged with public mischief and causing a disturbance after the incident in a Halifax bar.

CTV Atlantic reporter Heather Butts told her Twitter followers on Dec. 29 that the phrase was directed at her during the station’s 6 p.m. broadcast.

READ MORE: N.L. Judge rules shouting FHITP at a reporter was not a public disturbance

She was broadcasting from the Pint Public House, where fans were watching a world junior hockey championship game.

A recording shows a man approaching Butts and calling out the same sexually explicit phrase that has been yelled at other female reporters across the country.

Lawyer Ron Pizzo appeared in Halifax provincial court Thursday on behalf of Gracie.

The case was adjourned until April 20.

Pizzo said high-profile defence lawyer Joel Pink will be representing Gracie.

Several journalists have expressed support for Butts, saying the incident represents a broader problem of harassment of female reporters.

WATCH: How FHRITP is harassment not just a vile prank

Last week, a provincial court in Newfoundland and Labrador dismissed a single charge against 28-year-old Justin Penton for causing a public disturbance following a similar incident.

Penton was accused of yelling a phrase commonly abbreviated to FHITP at NTV reporter Heather Gillis last April as she was recording an interview outside the St. John’s dump.

Judge Colin Flynn said the sexist slur was vulgar and offensive, but not a crime under the circumstances.

The acquittal prompted Newfoundland politician Cathy Bennett to call for changes provincial harassment laws.

She has pledged to introduce a private member’s bill to amend the province’s labour laws.