Father-of-two convicted for praying silently in abortion clinic buffer zone.
Adam Smith-Connor(Photo: Alliance Defending Freedom UK)An army veteran and father-of-two who prayed silently for a few minutes near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth has been convicted of breaching the terms of a public space protection order in place around the facility.
At court today, he received a conditional discharge, meaning he will only be sentenced if he is convicted of any future offences in the next two years. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £9,000.
Commenting on the guilty verdict, Smith-Connor said, "Today, the court has decided that certain thoughts – silent thoughts – can be illegal in the United Kingdom. That cannot be right. All I did was pray to God, in the privacy of my own mind – and yet I stand convicted as a criminal?
"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. CT.
