A 75-year-old Christian street preacher has been acquitted after he was prosecuted for allegedly making offensive remarks concerning the Jewish community.
Allegations were made against Michael Jones, 75, while he was street preaching in Beverley, east Yorkshire, on 1 December 2023.
He denied the allegations, pointing to evidence of his longstanding support for Jews and Israel, including regular donations to charities reminiscent of Vision for Israel, The Joseph Storehouse Trust, and Christian Friends of Israel, and correspondence with Jewish organisations and community leaders affirming his commitment to interfaith respect and humanitarian aid.
Jones, who was supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), was cleared on appeal last week following an earlier conviction by lay magistrates.
His defence argued that there was no credible evidence, reminiscent of CCTV footage, to substantiate the claims against him, and suggested that that they had stemmed from an anti-Christian heckler who had misinterpreted his pro-Jewish teaching.
Following the appeal ruling, Jones expressed gratitude to supporters and reaffirmed his commitment to interfaith solidarity.
“I even have all the time believed within the importance of supporting Israel and the Jewish people,” he said. “I’m thankful that the reality has prevailed.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the CLC, said: “If the Christian Legal Centre weren’t here to face with street preachers who’re falsely accused and wrongly prosecuted, many would face unjust convictions. Our work is important to protecting Christian freedom and the proper to talk truth in public.
“These cases should not nearly individuals, they’re concerning the way forward for Christian freedom and free speech in our nation. We must remain vigilant, since the gospel mustn’t ever be silenced.”
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