Praying man breached abortion clinic safe zone

Protests, harassment and vigils are banned outside the centre

A physiotherapist who prayed outside an abortion centre has been convicted of breaching a safe zone after refusing requests to move on.

Adam Smith-Connor was outside the clinic in Bournemouth in November 2022 where a public space protection order was in place.

The 51-year-old from Southampton denied failing to comply with the order, but District Judge Orla Austin said on Wednesday his actions had been "deliberate".

Smith-Connor was handed a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay more than £9,000 costs.

Poole Magistrates' Court heard the former serviceman had his head bowed and hands clasped outside the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in Ophir Road.

The court was told he had been praying for his unborn son, who he said died from abortion 22 years ago.

The safe zone, introduced in October 2022, bans activity in favour or against abortion services, including protests, harassment and vigils.

During the case, brought by BCP Council, the court heard Smith-Connor had emailed the council the day before to inform it about his silent vigil, as he had done on previous occasions.

On the day, he was asked to leave the area by a community officer who spoke to him for an hour and 40 minutes - but he refused.

A public consultation by BCP Council found 75% of 2,241 residents supported the introduction of a buffer zone at the site which had previously been a focal point for people to gather and pray.

A new law means buffer zones will come into force outside all abortion clinics in England and Wales at the end of October, prohibiting protests within 150m.