EGN NEWS DESK
An military veteran and father-of-two who prayed silently for a couple of minutes close to an abortion clinic in Bournemouth has been convicted of breaching the phrases of a public house safety order in place across the facility.
Adam Smith-Connor was discovered responsible at a listening to right this moment at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court after it judged that his prayer in November 2022 amounted to “disapproval of abortion”.
At court docket right this moment, he obtained a conditional discharge, that means he’ll solely be sentenced if he’s convicted of any future offences within the subsequent two years. He was additionally ordered to pay prosecution prices of £9,000.
Commenting on the responsible verdict, Smith-Connor mentioned, “Today, the court docket has determined that sure ideas – silent ideas – could be unlawful within the United Kingdom. That can’t be proper. All I did was pray to God, within the privateness of my very own thoughts – and but I stand convicted as a prison?
“I served for 20 years within the military reserves, together with a tour in Afghanistan, to guard the basic freedoms that this nation is constructed upon. I proceed that spirit of service as a well being care skilled and church volunteer.
“It troubles me tremendously to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thoughtcrimes at the moment are being prosecuted within the UK.”
A public areas safety order was imposed across the abortion facility by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council and banned a lot of Christian and pro-life actions, together with praying and providing assist to ladies experiencing disaster pregnancies.
The Alliance Defending Freedom UK, which defended Smith-Connor, mentioned it was shocked by the decision. Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, mentioned it was “a authorized turning level of immense proportions”.
“A person has been convicted right this moment due to the content material of his ideas – his prayers to God – on the general public streets of England,” he mentioned.
“We can hardly sink any decrease in our neglect of fundamental basic freedoms of free speech and thought.
“We will look intently on the judgment and are contemplating choices to enchantment. Human rights are for all folks – regardless of their view on abortion.”
The judgment comes mere weeks earlier than buffer zones are to be rolled out throughout each abortion facility in England and Wales on 31 October.
The UK Parliament voted to make the ‘protected entry zones’ nationwide as a part of the Public Order Act 2023. They ban pro-life actions and ‘protests’ as much as a 150-metre radius round abortion services, with anybody convicted of breaking the legislation risking a vast positive.
Igunnubole mentioned he was involved that many extra folks like Smith-Connor can be convicted.
“The proper to carry a consensual dialog, or have interaction in silent prayer, are protected by worldwide authorized provisions on freedom of thought and speech. Yet the dearth of readability within the legislation may end in many extra residents like Adam being interrogated and even charged for merely directing silent ideas in direction of God,” he mentioned.
“This is a watershed second for British freedoms, and one the general public should not take frivolously.”
Commenting on the trial, Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh MP mentioned: “It is disgraceful that in Britain in 2024 somebody could be placed on trial for praying silently in his head. Unfortunately now we have seen repeated circumstances of free speech underneath menace within the UK on the subject of the expression of Christian beliefs.
“To provide a prayer silently within the depths of your coronary heart can’t be an offence. The authorities should make clear urgently that freedom of thought is protected as a fundamental human proper.”
