Man to appeal sentence after breaching abortion clinic buffer zone

Bournemouth: Adam Smith-Connor, 51, visited the BPAS Abortion Clinic multiple times. He prayed for his son, who was aborted 22 years ago.

The clinic has a public spaces protection order (PSPO) to keep staff and users safe from protests.

On November 24, 2022, a council officer asked Smith-Connor to leave. He received a fixed-penalty notice for breaching the buffer zone.

He didn’t pay the fine and went to Poole Magistrates’ Court. There, he was found guilty of breaking the order.

The judge, Jude Orla Austin, said protecting women’s rights justified the interference with his human rights.

Smith-Connor got a conditional discharge for two years and must pay £9,000 in prosecution costs.

He plans to appeal the conviction at Bournemouth Crown Court on July 28.

“Surely a silent thought cannot be a crime,” he said.

With help from ADF UK, he is appealing.

“The government cannot control thoughts and prayers based on location,” he added.

Smith-Connor served 20 years in the army reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan. He believes in protecting fundamental freedoms.

He continues to serve as a healthcare professional and church volunteer.

“It troubles me to see our freedoms eroded to the point of prosecuting thought crimes in the UK,” he said.

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, supports Smith-Connor’s case. He stated that silent prayer is a basic human right.

“It is protected by international laws on freedom of thought,” he explained.

Igunnubole called Smith-Connor’s conviction a critical moment for British freedoms.

“We must protect thought and peaceful speech everywhere,” he said.

“Buffer zones or not, we should safeguard the rights that our democracy is built on. This appeal is very important.”