EGN NEWS DESK
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dropped a case in opposition to two road preachers who have been arrested after refusing to cease preaching on Glastonbury High Street.
John Dunn and Shaun O’Sullivan have been arrested final June beneath part 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 following complaints made by members of the general public.
The two males, who’re being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), had been handing out leaflets and preaching in opposition to same-sex sexual follow and transgenderism from 1 Corinthians 6:9.
The CLC stated that one officer on the scene was sporting an ‘ask my pronouns’ badge.
When Mr O’Sullivan referred to one of many officers as a person, the officer stated to him: “I’m going to problem that as you do not know whether or not I’m a person or a lady, I’m an individual, okay.”
When the preachers requested what legal guidelines that they had damaged, the officers stated that they had obtained complaints that their preaching had brought about “harassment, alarm and misery”. They additionally informed the boys that “we’d have to take away you to stop a breach of the peace”.
When Mr O’Sullivan requested what it was that had brought about offence, an officer replied, “I perceive you have been saying stuff from the Bible that’s controversial … in the meanwhile I would like that to cease,” to which Mr O’Sullivan says that he won’t cease preaching even when he’s arrested.
Later within the change, Mr O’Sullivan is informed {that a} grievance has been made that he allegedly likened homosexuals to paedophiles, which he denied saying.
Both males have been arrested after refusing to cease preaching and go away the realm.
After the CPS determined to take the case ahead, a listening to was held at Taunton Magistrates’ Court this week that might have led to each males being convicted.
The case was dropped after the CPS failed to supply proof for the costs and the judge awarded the road preachers their authorized charges and journey prices.
Following the listening to, Mr Dunn expressed his considerations about free speech for Christians.
“The response from the police was utterly disproportionate and a transparent instance of the two-tier policing that’s rife on our streets proper now,” he stated.
“When I preach, I solely ever say what’s within the Bible. It may be very disconcerting if you find yourself approached by law enforcement officials accusing you of a ‘hate crime’ for allegedly being ‘homophobic’ and so they have rainbow lanyards round their necks.
“It doesn’t give any confidence that the lawful expression of Christian beliefs on these points will probably be revered or defended.”
Mr O’Sullivan stated: “We are decided to combat for justice on this matter. It can’t be proper that terrorist sympathisers are performing with impunity on UK streets, and but we face being convicted for expressing our Christian beliefs from the Bible.
“I meant it after I stated that we have been there as a result of we love the individuals of Glastonbury and wished them to know the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
Andrea Williams, chief government of the Christian Legal Centre, known as for police impartiality.
“Christian open-air preaching has a protracted and revered historical past on this nation and should be protected and defended in any respect prices,” she stated.
“John and Shaun are enthusiastic about reaching the general public with the Christian religion that has remodeled their lives. They have been nicely inside their rights to evangelise and to proceed preaching on Glastonbury High Street with out being compelled to maneuver on or fearing arrest.
“It isn’t an offence if somebody is offended by the reality of the Bible. The police should be neutral and uphold the legislation, not LGBTQI+ identification politics.”
