In a case straight out of “1984,” a grieving father has been convicted after saying a silent prayer for his dead son in a so-called “safe zone” near an abortion facility.
Adam Smith-Connor, 51, went afoul of the United Kingdom’s government in November 2022 when he bowed his head in prayer at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in Bournemouth, England, according to the BBC.
Police officers approached him at the time, asking “what is the nature of your prayer?” according to the Christian legal group ADF UK.
A public space protection order was in effect around the facility’s perimeter at the time of Smith-Connor’s prayer.
The safe zone was put in place one month before Smith-Connor’s private vigil, according to the BBC.
Any activity supporting or denouncing abortion is prohibited within the zone. According to the Bournemouth council, a majority of people support the zone, the BBC reported.
Smith-Connor told the court he was praying for his unborn son. According to the man, a British military veteran, his son was aborted 22 years before his silent conversation with God.
According to the BBC, District Judge Orla Austin called his actions “deliberate” on Wednesday and slapped the vet with nearly $12,000