A MAN who ‘silently prayed to end abortion’ outside a clinic is set to appeal his conviction after her was found guilty of breaching a buffer zone.
Adam Smith-Connor, 51, travelled from Southampton to BPAS Abortion Clinic in Bournemouth on several occasions to pray for his son who was aborted 22 years ago.
The clinic is subject to a public spaces protection order (PSPO), enforced by BCP Council, to protect staff and service users following issues with protests.
On November 24, 2022, Smith-Connor was told to leave the area by an authorised council officer and was later handed a fixed-penalty notice for breaching the buffer zone.
After refusing to pay the fine, he was taken to Poole Magistrates’ Court and found guilty of breaching the order.
Jude Orla Austin said the interference to his human rights was justified to protect the rights of women.
Smith-Connor was conditionally discharged for two years and ordered to pay £9000 in prosecution costs.
He is now set to appeal the conviction at Bournemouth Crown Court on July 28.
“Surely a silent thought cannot be a crime,” said Adam Smith-Connor.
“With support from ADF UK, I’m appealing my conviction.
“The government simply cannot be allowed to determine the content of thoughts and prayers, depending on where you’re standing.
“I served for 20 years in the army reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan, to protect the fundamental freedoms that this country is built upon.
“I continue that spirit of service as a health care professional and church volunteer.
“It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thoughtcrimes are now being prosecuted in the UK.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, who supported Adam’s case, said: “The right to engage in silent prayer constitutes the most basic of human rights.
“It is protected robustly by international legal provisions relating to freedom of thought.
“Adam’s conviction was a watershed moment for British freedoms, and one the public must not take lightly.
“A failure to protect thought and peaceful speech anywhere creates a threat to these rights everywhere.
“Buffer zones or otherwise, we should uncompromisingly safeguard the rights on which our democracy is based. That’s why this appeal is incredibly important.”
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