A MAN has appeared in court accused of breaching a public order by ‘silently praying’.

Adam Smith-Connor was charged by BCP Council for failing to comply with a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) outside the BPAS abortion clinic in Bournemouth.

It is alleged that the defendant, 49 and of Kingfisher Way in Southampton, stood within the ‘buffer zone’ outside the clinic in Ophir Road and prayed.

Appearing in the dock at Poole Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 9, Smith-Connor pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with the PSPO.

A trial date was scheduled for Thursday, November 16, at the same court.

Smith-Connor, whose legal defence is supported by the faith-based advocacy group ADF UK, was granted unconditional bail.

Outside the court, several people held placards decrying ‘the policing of thoughts’.

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: “Mr Smith-Connor has been charged with breaching a term of the Public Spaces Protection Order.

“The allegations are that on 24th November 2022, Mr Smith-Connor failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement of the PSPO in that he failed to leave the required area when asked by an authorised officer.

“Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, the council is unable to make a further statement in relation to this matter.”

As reported, a buffer zone has been in place outside the clinic since October last year and is enforced by BCP Council through a PSPO which criminalises “protesting with respect to issues related to abortion services”.

This includes prayer or counselling.