Appeal date set for Army Veteran convicted for silent prayer in “buffer zone” 

  • Bournemouth Crown Court to hear silent prayer appeal, July 28th 2025
  • Recent CPS guidance clarifies that silent prayer is “not necessarily” a crime in national abortion “buffer zones” 

Bournemouth (29 January 2025) – The appeal date for the army veteran and father of two found “guilty” for praying silently near an abortion facility has been set for 28th July, 2025 – two and a half years following the three minutes of prayer which sparked legal action.

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council charged and prosecuted Adam Smith-Connor for breaking local “buffer zone” rules, following an interrogation by officers on “the nature of his prayers” when he stopped to pray for a few minutes near an abortion facility in November 2022.   

“The government simply cannot be allowed to determine the content of thoughts and prayers, depending on where you’re standing."

- Adam Smith-Connor, convicted for praying silently in a "buffer zone"

The “guilty” verdict, issued on 16th October 2024, marked the first time in modern British history where a citizen has been criminalised on the basis of his thoughts. 

Silent prayer “not necessarily” a crime, says CPS

Since Adam’s conviction, nationwide “buffer zones” legislation has been rolled out across the country, preventing anyone from “influencing” a person’s “decision to access” an abortion facility – but new CPS guidance clarifies that such a ban does “not necessarily” extend to silent prayer. 

The CPS further noted that the activities of the accused must be “overt” to meet the threshold of criminality. 

At the time of the alleged “offence”, Smith-Connor stood imperceptibly praying in his head for a few minutes, across the road from the abortion facility, with his back to the entrance in order to avoid the impression he was attempting to engage with anyone.

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Video footage shows Smith-Connor being questioned as to the “nature of his prayer” by officers, before being issued a fine.

Speaking about his decision to appeal, Adam Smith-Connor said: 

“Surely a silent thought cannot be a crime. 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.”   

Controversially, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council has already spent over £100,000 of public funds prosecuting Smith-Connor for his silent thoughts, for a charge with a maximum penalty of £1,000. This expense – including a high spend on a King’s Counsel– comes despite the Council being on the brink of bankruptcy for the past year. 

The Court sentenced Smith-Connor to a conditional discharge and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £9,000.  

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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Pictured: Adam Smith-Connor, Jeremiah Igunnubole (Legal Counsel for ADF UK)

Woman arrested for silent prayer responds to Home Office dismissal of “two-tier policing”

  • Home Office’s comments “run contrary to the lived experience of countless everyday British people”, says Isabel Vaughan-Spruce
  • A Dorset retiree will similarly face trial in March for holding a sign reading “here to talk, if you want” in abortion “buffer zone”

LONDON (28th January 2025) – A leaked Home Office counter-extremism dossier says that “claims of ‘two-tier’ policing, where two groups are allegedly treated differently after similar behaviour” are a “right-wing extremist narrative”, according to The Telegraph today.

The dismissal of “two-tier policing” comes after mounting concern amongst Christians that police have cracked down to heavily on peaceful thought and expression, rather than focusing on violent crime.

On 6th March, a Dorset retiree will become the fourth individual to face trial under “buffer zones” regulations, for holding a sign near an abortion facility reading “here to talk, if you want.” Read more.

“The priorities of the Home Office seem to have been turned on their head."

- Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, arrested and tried for praying silently in her head

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce’s case caught the world’s attention when she was seen on a viral video being arrested for praying in her head near an abortion facility in Birmingham.

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Vaughan-Spruce was arrested on two separate occasions for praying peacefully in her mind, leading to one court trial at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court (at which she was fully acquitted), and one lengthy police investigation. With support from ADF UK, Isabel recieved an apology and a settlement from West Midlands Police following her ordeal.

"The Home Office's dismissal...runs contrary to the lived experience of countless British people"

Responding to the comments found within the leaked Home Office dossier, Vaughan-Spruce stated: 

“The Home Office’s abrasive and outright dismissal of widespread concerns about “two-tier policing” runs contrary to the experience of countless everyday British people.

I have been arrested multiple times, faced an intrusive police investigation, and dragged into court – simply for standing silently on a public street nearby an abortion clinic, praying, imperceptibly, in the privacy of my mind. Meanwhile, how many true criminals roam the streets, unchecked? How many of the perpetrators of the grooming gangs were left unaccountable for their violent and despicable actions towards children?

The priorities of the Home Office seem to have been turned on their head. They must acknowledge their misstep here before entirely losing the confidence of the public.”

"The Home Office must direct resources to where they're needed most"

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, who supported the defense of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce and others prosecuted for their thoughts and peaceful speech, said:

“Over the last 3 years, we’ve supported several individuals in court who have been prosecuted simply for praying, or offering help, near abortion facilities.

In the wider public square, we’ve also given our support to innocent people like Dia Moodley, a preacher from Bristol, who was arrested and put in cells simply for comparing Islam to Christianity in response to a question.

While the Home Office has committed significant time and resources to cracking down on the expression – or even contemplation of – Christian beliefs, the crime rate statistics prove that they have not directed police resources to where it’s needed most.”

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PICTURED: Isabel Vaughan-Spruce; Jeremiah Igunnubole (ADF UK); Livia Tossici-Bolt