Fact check: Man was convicted for breaching abortion clinic’s safe zone

A Christian convert fell foul of a Public Space Protection Order that aims to limit protests, including prayers and vigils, around a medical centre.

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

Evaluation

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

He attested that he had been engaging in silent prayer as a vigil for his unborn son 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 area of Ophir Road in Bournemouth, following a public consultation. This was carried out under the powers granted by section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, as spelled out in the accompanying documentation, and specifically focuses on the clinic run by BPAS (British Pregnancy Advice Service).

The order, which was due to be in place for three years, is intended to prevent “protesting… with respect to issues relating to abortion services”, whether approving or disapproving, and “includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling”. Another restricted activity is listed as “holding vigils’ [sic] where members audibly pray if they perceive a service-users [sic] is passing by”.

The restrictions apply from 7am to 7pm on weekdays.

Mr Smith-Connor, a former Army reservist and Christian convert, carried out a silent vigil on November 24 2022, a month after the protection order began. Footage of the incident has been made available by ADF International, a legal company that “champions religious freedom through … advocacy efforts”.

In the footage, Mr Smith-Connor affirms that he is aware of the so-called “safe zone” around the clinic while speaking to a community safety accredited officer who informed him that he was believed to be in breach of the order.

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

Although the term “thought crime” was first used in the 1930s, it was popularised in George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, where “thinking in opposition to the regime is a treacherous offence”.

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 particular Public Space Protection Order, where it can be a punishable act.

Protection zones of 150 metres around abortion clinics have also been granted under a new safeguarding measure introduced by the Government starting from October 31. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists welcomed this measure, but has also specified a hope that legal guidelines will “not … permit silent prayer as an exemption” in these zones.