Man convicted of violating abortion clinic safe zone

A widely viewed thread on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, claimed that “a man was convicted of standing silently praying in England.” Other posts about the same court case said the man had been “literally convicted of thoughtcrime” and stated that “silent prayer is now considered a crime.”

Assessment

Adam Smith-Connor, 51, was convicted at Poole Magistrates’ Court of breaching the safe zone around an abortion centre.

He testified that he was involved in silent prayers as a vigil for his unborn child following an abortion procedure 22 years ago.

The conviction was not related to Mr Smith-Connor’s thoughts while he was in the safe zone.

The facts

In October 2022, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council imposed a public space protection order around the Ophir Road area of ​​Bournemouth, following a public consultation. This was carried out under powers granted by section 59 of the Crime and Policing of Anti-Social Behavior Act 2014, as set out in the accompanying documentation, and focuses specifically on the clinic run by BPAS (British Pregnancy Advice Service).

The order, which was to be in effect for three years, is intended to prevent “protests… regarding issues relating to abortion services,” whether approving or disapproving, and “includes, but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counseling.” Another restricted activity is listed as “holding vigils (sic) where members pray audibly if they notice a service user (sic) passing by”.

Restrictions apply from 7am to 7pm on weekdays.

Smith-Connor, a former Army reservist and Christian convert, held a silent vigil on November 24, 2022, a month after the protection order began. Footage of the incident was made available by ADF International, a legal firm that “defends religious freedom through… advocacy efforts.”

In the footage, Smith-Connor claims he is aware of the so-called “safe zone” around the clinic as he speaks to a community safety accredited officer who informed him he would be violating the order.

Remaining in the safe zone after being asked to leave by a police officer, the PCSO “or any other person designated by the BCP Board” contravenes the order, which “may result in a fine or prosecution.”

Although the term “thought crime” was first used in the 1930s, it was popularized in George Orwell’s dystopian novel. Nineteen eighty-fourwhere “thinking in opposition to the regime is a treasonous offense”.

Prayer is not considered a crime under English law, with sittings in both Houses of Parliament beginning with Christian prayers. However, there are certain circumstances, as outlined in this specific Public Space Protection Order, in which it may be a punishable act.

150-metre buffer zones around abortion clinics have also been granted under a new safeguard measure introduced by the Government from 31 October. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists welcomed this move, but also specified the hope that legal guidelines “will not… allow silent prayer as an exemption” in these zones.

Connections

Original post on X (archived)

Second post on X (archived)

Third post on X (archived)

Fourth post on X (archived)

Ophir Road Public Spaces Protection Order and surrounding area (PSPO) | BCP (archived)

Anti-Social Behavior Crime and Policing Act 2014 Section 59 Public Spaces Protection Order – BCP Council (archived)

Abortion Clinic | BPAS Bournemouth | BPAS (archived)

Adam Support – ADF International (archived)

Religious Freedom – ADF International (archived)

“What is the nature of your prayer?” authorities interrogate army veteran – YouTube (archived)

Thought crime, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary (archived)

Orwell – A celebration: 1984, Thoughtcrime | Orwell Foundation (archived)
Prayers – UK Parliament (archived)

Buffer zones around abortion clinics implemented by October – GOV.UK (archived)

RCOG welcomes introduction of buffer zones for abortion clinics | RCOG (archived)