Christian street preacher cleared in harassment case

A Christian street preacher who was accused of constructing Islamophobic comments to a Muslim family has been cleared of harassment charges. 

The family accused Shaun O’Sullivan of claiming “We love the Jews”, “Jew haters,” and “Palestine lovers” as they passed him while he was street preaching in Swindon town centre on 15 September 2024.

A 999 call handler categorised the family’s grievance as a “hate claim”, based on the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which is supporting Mr O’Sullivan. He later faced charges of religiously aggravated intentional harassment under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. 

Mr O’Sullivan 36, was found not guilty by a jury at Swindon Crown Court after a trial that lasted six days.

Speaking after the not guilty verdict, O’Sullivan said: “I used to be once lost, but Christ modified every thing. My heart is to share the excellent news and love all people. I never intended harm. This case shows how vital it’s to guard freedom of speech and Christian freedom.” 

The CLC said the case “raised serious questions on freedom of speech and the policing of so-called ‘hate claims’.”

During the trial, his defence argued that any comments made by the road preacher had formed a part of a wider public address on religious and political issues, and shouldn’t be interpreted as a direct verbal attack. The jury also heard how street preachers played a job historically within the evolution of free speech rights in Britain. 

The defence further warned that prosecuting robust public debate risks criminalising protected speech under Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

CLC chief executive Andrea Williams said the case “highlights the hazards of policing ‘hate incidents’ based on perception alone”.

“We must make sure that robust public debate, especially on matters of Christian faith, will not be silenced,” she said. 

“In this instance, the choice to log a ‘hate claim’ was based solely on a single phone call. This was one other example of police overreach and the chilling effect on free speech. The acquittal will not be just a private vindication for Shaun but a reminder of the delicate state of fundamental freedoms in our country at once.

“Shaun loves Jesus and he wants to succeed in the general public with the hope that has transformed his life. He, and other Christian preachers, should have the liberty to try this without fear of being prosecuted and dragged before a judge and jury.”