BRITISH STREET PREACHER CLEARED AFTER SAYING "WE LOVE THE JEWS" TRIGGERS HATE CRIME PROSECUTION
A jury at Swindon Crown Court unanimously acquitted Christian street preacher Shaun O'Sullivan on November 25, 2025, after a six-day trial costing an estimated £20,000 in taxpayer funds. The 36-year-old pastor at Awaken Church in Swindon faced charges of religiously aggravated intentional harassment under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
O'Sullivan was accused of saying "We love the Jews," "Jew haters," and "Palestine lovers" to a Muslim family wearing hijabs in Swindon town center on September 15, 2024. The family called emergency services claiming they felt unsafe and targeted. The 999 call handler immediately categorized the incident as a hate claim without any corroborating evidence.
No audio or video recording captured O'Sullivan's alleged remarks. CCTV footage showed only a brief encounter with the family walking past quickly, with most of the interaction blocked from view by nearby sculptures.
Under cross-examination, the complainant admitted she had not heard O'Sullivan's complete message and acknowledged that her strong views on the Gaza conflict had shaped her memory of the event.
The prosecution's case relied entirely on witness testimony from the Muslim family, which contained inconsistencies regarding whether a microphone was used and conflicting descriptions of O'Sullivan's clothing.
Defense expert Dr. Martin Parsons, a leading authority on Christian and Islamic theology, testified that street preaching is a historically and constitutionally significant practice in Britain, central to the development of freedom of religion and speech.
He warned that criminalizing such speech risks undermining fundamental liberties and noted the alleged remarks could be understood as expressions of religious conviction rather than hostility.
O'Sullivan's background added dimension to the trial. Once living a life marked by violence and crime, he experienced a radical conversion to Christianity that transformed his character and purpose. Since then, he has devoted himself to preaching the Gospel in public spaces.
This marks the 16th time O'Sullivan has been acquitted in similar cases involving charges related to his street preaching.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Britain has criminalized loving Jews.
A man says "We love the Jews" and the state prosecutes him for hate speech.
The call handler heard a complaint and immediately declared "I'll put a hate claim on" without investigation, without evidence, without witness corroboration. Christian Post
This is anarcho tyranny in its purest form.
The police ignore actual crime while prosecuting Christians for preaching Scripture.
Twenty thousand pounds of taxpayer money spent on a six day trial because a woman who admitted she didn't hear the full message and admitted her Gaza politics colored her memory felt uncomfortable. Christian Concern
Feelings have become evidence.
Perception has become proof.
This is what happens when the state worships at the altar of offense rather than the altar of truth.
Street preaching built British liberty.
Now British liberty prosecutes street preachers.
Sixteen acquittals for the same man should tell you everything about police overreach and the chilling effect on Christian speech.
The jury saw through it.
Will the nation?
TAKE ACTION
- Support persecuted UK street preachers through the Christian Legal Centre, which provides free legal defense for Christians prosecuted for their faith. Donate at christianconcern.com or call +44 (0)20 3327 1120.
- Contact your MP demanding reform of hate crime laws that criminalize perception without evidence. Write to Parliament at parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp to protect freedom of speech and religious expression.
- Encourage street evangelism in your community. Support local preachers sharing the Gospel publicly. Contact the Christian Legal Centre at info@christianconcern.com for resources on legal rights for street preachers.
- Pray for Shaun O'Sullivan and Awaken Church in Swindon as they continue bold Gospel witness despite repeated false prosecution. Pray for courage for Christians speaking truth in an increasingly hostile culture.
- Share stories of acquitted preachers widely on social media to expose police overreach and prosecutorial abuse targeting Christians. Tag @CConcern on Twitter/X to amplify cases of religious freedom violations.
- Donate to legal defense funds protecting Christian liberties. The Alliance Defending Freedom UK works alongside Christian Legal Centre defending religious freedom. Visit adfuk.org to support their critical work.
