Woman arrested for silent prayer near UK abortion business victorious in court
Earlier this month, authorities dropped charges against Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a woman arrested for praying. quiet near an abortion facility. Although his fight appears to be over, he still has to face a court battle that could leave him with a criminal record. Fortunately, the court ruled in Vaughan-Spruce’s favor.
Christian Today reported that, despite the fact that the charges had been dropped, Vaughan-Spruce still had to present himself at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. If the court had found him guilty, he would have had a criminal record. The charges can also be reinstated if he is found not innocent by a court.
In a press release, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) UK announced the verdict. “I am glad that I have proven no wrongdoing. But I shouldn’t be arrested for my thoughts and treated like a criminal just for silently praying on a public street,” Vaughan-Spruce said outside the courthouse.
“When it comes to censorship zones, peaceful prayer and attempts to offer help to women in crisis pregnancies are now described as either “criminal” or “anti-social”. But what is deeply anti- social are the steps being taken today to censor freedom of speech, freedom to offer help, freedom to pray and even freedom of thought. We must stand up against this and ensure that these most basic freedoms are protected, and that all our laws reflect it.”
Vaughan-Spruce was arrested while standing near the BPAS Robert Clinic in Kings Norton, Birmingham, where abortions are performed. A buffer zone is in place, prohibiting people from “engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted approval or disapproval” in relation to abortion, including through “verbal or written method, prayer or counseling.” When the police saw Vaughan-Spruce standing quietly, they asked if he was praying; he replied that he “could be,” and was arrested.
“Today’s court case has great cultural significance. This is not 1984, but 2023 – no one should be criminalized for their thoughts, for their prayers, for peaceful expression on a public street,” said Jeremiah Igunnubole, the legal adviser from ADF UK. representing Vaughan-Spruce, adding, “It’s great that they found justice, although in these grueling legal battles, the process is often the punishment. Their case may be closed now, but it should be marked in this conversation as a warning. In the UK, freedom of thought, prayer, offers of help and peaceful conversation are not illegal and we call on Parliament to reject the creation of further censorship zones by vaguely wording public order law.
