Father-of-two convicted for praying silently in abortion clinic buffer zone

An army veteran and father-of-two who prayed silently for just a few minutes near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth has been convicted of breaching the terms of a public space protection order in place around the ability.

Adam Smith-Connor was found guilty at a hearing today at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court after it judged that his prayer in November 2022 amounted to “disapproval of abortion”. 

At court today, he received a conditional discharge, meaning he’ll only be sentenced if he’s convicted of any future offences in the subsequent two years. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £9,000.

Commenting on the guilty verdict, Smith-Connor said, “Today, the court has decided that certain thoughts – silent thoughts – could be illegal within the United Kingdom. That can’t be right. All I did was pray to God, within the privacy of my very own mind – and yet I stand convicted as a criminal?

“I served for 20 years in the military reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan, to guard the basic freedoms that this country is built upon. I proceed that spirit of service as a health care skilled and church volunteer.

“It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thoughtcrimes are actually being prosecuted within the UK.”

A public spaces protection order was imposed across the abortion facility by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council and banned various Christian and pro-life activities, including praying and offering help to women experiencing crisis pregnancies. 

The Alliance Defending Freedom UK, which defended Smith-Connor, said it was shocked by the decision. Jeremiah Igunnubole, Legal Counsel for ADF UK, said it was “a legal turning point of immense proportions”.

“A person has been convicted today due to the content of his thoughts – his prayers to God – on the general public streets of England,” he said.

“We can hardly sink any lower in our neglect of basic fundamental freedoms of free speech and thought.

“We will look closely on the judgment and are considering options to appeal. Human rights are for all people – irrespective of their view on abortion.”

The judgment comes mere weeks before buffer zones are to be rolled out across every abortion facility in England and Wales on 31 October. 

The UK Parliament voted to make the ‘secure access zones’ nationwide as a part of the Public Order Act 2023. They ban pro-life activities and ‘protests’ as much as a 150-metre radius around abortion facilities, with anyone convicted of breaking the law risking an infinite superb. 

Igunnubole said he was concerned that many more people like Smith-Connor shall be convicted. 

“The right to carry a consensual conversation, or engage in silent prayer, are protected by international legal provisions on freedom of thought and speech. Yet the dearth of clarity within the law could end in many more residents like Adam being interrogated and even charged for simply directing silent thoughts towards God,” he said.

“This is a watershed moment for British freedoms, and one the general public must not take calmly.”

Commenting on the trial, Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh MP said: “It is disgraceful that in Britain in 2024 someone could be placed on trial for praying silently in his head. Unfortunately we now have seen repeated cases of free speech under threat within the UK in the case of the expression of Christian beliefs.

“To offer a prayer silently within the depths of your heart can’t be an offence. The government must make clear urgently that freedom of thought is protected as a basic human right.”