Adam Smith-Connor, an army veteran and bereaved father, has been found guilty of praying for his dead son outside an abortion facility and breaching buffer zones. “All I did was pray to God”, he said after the ruling.
On Wednesday, 16 October, Mr Smith-Connor was found guilty by Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court of breaching a buffer zone when he prayed silently outside an abortion facility in November 2022.
District Judge Orla Austin said his actions were “deliberate” after he bowed his head in silent prayer and clasped his hands, which the court said amounted to “disapproval of abortion”.
Mr Smith-Connor says he was praying for his dead son, called Jacob, who was killed by abortion over 20 years ago.
Following the verdict, Mr Smith-Connor was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £9,000 in legal costs.
Sir Edward Leigh MP called the verdict “disgraceful… The government must clarify urgently that freedom of thought is protected as a basic human right.”
Commenting after the trial, Mr 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. It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thoughtcrimes are now being prosecuted in the UK.”
Buffer zones officially come into force in England and Wales on 31 October, having already been imposed in Scotland, a move opposed by SPUC.
SPUC slams “shameful verdict”
Daniel Frampton, SPUC’s Editorial Officer, said: “A British citizen has been found guilty of thoughtcrime. The shocking precedent that this sets should not be underestimated. The fundamental rights to freedom of speech, assembly and religious expression – and to simply stand silently on the street – have been undermined by this shameful verdict.
“While this decision most obviously affects pro-life men and women, as well as persons of faith like Adam, all people are ultimately threatened by a law that criminalises thought. It’s difficult to think of anything less harmful than silent prayer.
“Adam is an army veteran who served his country honourably in Afghanistan. He is a peaceful citizen and bereaved father, and he prayed for Jacob – that, according to the law of the land, is now a crime. That this can happen in the UK in 2024 is a sure sign that something is very wrong in this country.”