A military veteran and father-of-two who prayed silently for a number of minutes close to an abortion clinic in Bournemouth has been convicted of breaching the phrases of a public house order across the facility.
Adam Smith-Connor was discovered responsible at a listening to at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court docket right this moment after the court docket dominated that his prayer in November 2022 amounted to “opposing abortion”.
He was given a conditional discharge in court docket right this moment, that means he’ll solely be sentenced if he’s convicted of any future offenses within the subsequent two years. He was additionally ordered to pay prosecution prices of £9,000.
Commenting on the responsible verdict, Smith-Connor stated: “As we speak the court docket determined that sure concepts – silent concepts – will be unlawful within the UK. That may't be proper. All I did was pray to God within the privateness of my very own thoughts – and but I’m condemned as a legal?
“I served 20 years within the Military Reserves, together with a tour in Afghanistan, to guard the basic freedoms this nation is constructed on. I proceed that spirit of service as a medic and church volunteer.”
“I’m very involved to see our freedoms being eroded to the purpose the place thought crimes are actually being prosecuted within the UK.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council imposed a public areas order across the abortion facility and banned quite a lot of Christian and pro-life actions, together with prayers and providing assist to girls in disaster pregnancies.
The Alliance Defending Freedom UK, which defended Smith-Connor, stated it was shocked by the decision. Jeremiah Igunnubole, authorized counsel for ADF UK, stated it was a “authorized turnaround of immense proportions”.
“A person was condemned right this moment for the content material of his ideas – his prayers to God – on the general public streets of England,” he stated.
“We are able to hardly sink decrease in our neglect of the fundamental elementary liberties of freedom of speech and thought.
“We are going to scrutinize the judgment and take into account the potential of an enchantment. Human rights are for all individuals – no matter their views on abortion.”
The ruling comes simply weeks earlier than secure zones are resulting from be launched in each abortion facility in England and Wales on October 31.
The UK Parliament has voted to introduce “secure entry zones” nationwide as a part of the Public Order Act 2023. They ban pro-life actions and “protests” inside 150 meters of abortion services, with anybody convicted of breaking the regulation risking limitless high quality.
Igunnubole stated he fears many extra individuals like Smith-Connor might be convicted.
“The appropriate to carry a consensual dialog or have interaction in silent prayer is protected by worldwide authorized provisions on freedom of thought and expression. Nonetheless, the shortage of readability within the legal guidelines may result in many extra residents like Adam being questioned, and even charged. silent ideas to God,” he stated.
“It is a watershed second for British freedoms that the general public should not take frivolously.”
Commenting on the trial, Father of the Home Sir Edward Leigh MP stated: “It’s disgraceful that in Britain in 2024 somebody may very well be on trial for saying a silent prayer of their head. Sadly, we have now seen repeated circumstances of freedom of speech being threatened within the UK in the case of an expression of the Christian religion.
“Silently saying a prayer within the depths of your coronary heart can’t be against the law. The federal government should urgently make it clear that freedom of thought is protected as a fundamental human proper.”
