Christian woman criminally charged for silent prayer pleads ‘not guilty’ in first hearing 

BIRMINGHAM (29 January 2026) – A Christian woman criminally charged because she “stood outside” an abortion facility in Birmingham and silently prayed appeared in court for a first hearing today and pleaded “not guilty”.  

Charity volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was charged under the Public Order Act 2023 last December by West Midlands Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for silently praying in an abortion centre “buffer zone”, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.  

The trial has been fixed for 6 to 9 October. ADF International is supporting her legal defence. 

The defence today argued the charges fall outside the scope of Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, which introduced “buffer zones” around all abortion facilities in the country.  

Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 prohibits “influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services” within 150 metres of an abortion facility. 

However, Ms Vaughan-Spruce was charged because she “stood outside” the abortion facility. The Public Order Act does not mention mere presence, standing or silently praying in a “buffer zone” as offences.  

CPS guidance on the law stipulates that silent prayer on its own is not enough to meet the threshold of criminality unless it is accompanied by evidence of “overt” activity.  

The defence also argued that Ms Vaughan-Spruce did not intend to influence anyone, as she was merely silently praying, and that the charge is contrary to her Article 9 ECHR right to freedom of thought and religion. 

This is the first time someone has been criminally charged under national “buffer zone” legislation, which came into force in October 2024. 

All previous court cases regarding the status of silent prayer took place in the context of “buffer zones” introduced by local authorities via Public Spaces Protection Orders, rather than through this new law.  

Ms Vaughan-Spruce has previously been arrested twice for her silent prayers.  

She was cleared in court in February 2023 after her first arrest, and after being arrested a second time in March 2023, the police dropped their investigation. 

In August 2024, Ms Vaughan-Spruce won a payout of £13,000 from West Midlands Police after she issued a claim for unlawful arrests and the breach of her human rights. 

Today’s hearing follows US Vice President JD Vance commenting on “buffer zone” censorship at the Washington DC March for Life 2026 on Friday. 

Vice President Vance said: “It’s why we speak up when other nations throw pro-life and pro-family advocates in prison for silent prayer. Which we’ve seen way too much, but it’s got to stop.” 

The US Administration has criticised “buffer zone” censorship in the UK on multiple occasions. 

Ms Vaughan-Spruce said: 

“Three years ago, I was vindicated in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after being charged for silently praying on a public street. Yet sadly that wasn’t the end of things. I found myself in the same court today, charged again for my silent prayers. 

“My behaviour hasn’t changed in that time. I’ve simply stood inside an abortion ‘buffer zone’, on a public street, and silently prayed—meaning my thoughts were turned towards God.  

“I’ve not held any posters, offered any leaflets, spoken with anyone or spoken out loud at all. I’ve not interacted with anyone in any way. Yet I’m being treated like a criminal. This is viewpoint discrimination. Standing is not a crime, silence is not a crime, thinking is not a crime.” 

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, said: 

“The fact that someone can be criminally prosecuted merely for their thoughts and beliefs should serve as a wake-up call to all those concerned with the state of freedom of expression and thought in Great Britain. 

“Parliament’s express intention in passing the Public Order Act 2023 was to prevent harassment and intimidation, not peaceful conduct. Parliament certainly did not intend to introduce thoughtcrime.  

“In this instance, Isabel has been charged for standing in the ‘buffer zone’. But it’s clear this is nothing more than a cover for criminalising her pro-life beliefs and thoughts.” 

Investigated for a “thoughtcrime”  

On 18 March 2025, West Midlands Police informed Ms Vaughan-Spruce she was under investigation for praying silently near an abortion facility on 27 January 2025, as well as several other subsequent dates.  

Ms Vaughan-Spruce has been peacefully praying in the same public area on a regular basis for two decades.  

With legal support from ADF International, Ms Vaughan-Spruce sent numerous requests for clarification in proceeding months as to the status of her case, pointing out that the legislation does not function as a ban on her mere presence or on holding pro-life Christian beliefs.   

The Attorney General confirmed on 16 December 2025, in response to a parliamentary question from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP about Ms Vaughan-Spruce’s case, that: “The Crown Prosecution Service has issued proceedings under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, in relation to one case, since it was commenced on 31 October 2024.”  

Ms Vaughan-Spruce had not yet received information about the charging decision when this written answer was issued by the Attorney General, but was informed hours later in a letter from West Midlands Police.  

The length of time taken for a charging decision, nearly one year, was highly unusual for a case like hers. 

The charge read: “[Isabel] stood outside of the Robert Clinic [the abortion facility]… intending that, or being reckless as to whether, it had the effect of influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services at an abortion clinic.” 

Repeated injustice over silent “thoughtcrime”  

In 2023, the charitable volunteer was acquitted in court after being arrested for praying in a local “buffer zone,” under a Public Spaces Protection Order that banned “expressions of approval or disapproval” of abortion. The incident occurred while the abortion facility was closed. The prosecution offered no evidence to support a conviction.  

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Ms Vaughan-Spruce was arrested again for her silent thoughts in the same location weeks later in March 2023, opening an investigation that lasted several months. In August 2024, Ms Vaughan-Spruce successfully challenged her two unjust arrests and received a settlement from West Midlands Police of £13,000.  

On regular occasions, she has been approached by officers and asked if she is praying. Once, she was observed by two officers posted to watch her activities.