Isabel Vaughan Spruce Criminally Charged for Silent Prayer in Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone as UK Prosecutes Thought Crime
Isabel Vaughan Spruce, a pro life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham, has been criminally charged under England's buffer zone legislation in the first prosecution since the national law took effect in October 2024.
Vaughan Spruce, co director of March for Life UK, learned she was being charged when Attorney General responded to a parliamentary question from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman on December 16, confirming the Crown Prosecution Service had issued proceedings under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023. She received formal written notice from West Midlands Police hours later.
The charges stem from an incident in January when Vaughan Spruce was observed praying silently within a designated buffer zone surrounding the Birmingham abortion clinic.
Section 9 of the Public Order Act makes it a criminal offense to influence any person's decision to access or facilitate abortion services, obstruct individuals from accessing clinics, or cause harassment, alarm, or distress to any person in connection with abortion services.
Vaughan Spruce, who has prayed near the same abortion clinic for 20 years, stated it is "unbelievable" she is being prosecuted again for silent prayer. In 2023, she was acquitted by Birmingham Magistrates' Court after being prosecuted for breaching buffer zone terms under different legal powers. Last year she received a £13,000 settlement from West Midlands Police for two wrongful arrests for silent prayer in the buffer zone.
The Crown Prosecution Service has previously stated that silent prayer outside abortion clinics may not necessarily be criminal and that prosecution decisions will be made case by case. However, Vaughan Spruce now faces trial at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on January 29, with potential unlimited fines if convicted.
The case represents a legal test of whether silent prayer constitutes influencing decisions, obstructing access, or causing distress under the buffer zone legislation. Civil liberties advocates argue that prosecuting silent prayer criminalizes thought and belief rather than observable conduct, creating precedent where internal mental activity becomes subject to state punishment.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Britain is prosecuting thought crime.
The government cannot read minds, so they're prosecuting the appearance of prayer. The posture. The location. The assumption of what someone might be thinking.
This isn't protecting abortion access. This is eliminating religious expression.
Vaughan Spruce already won £13,000 for wrongful arrests. Already acquitted once.
They're trying again because the goal isn't justice. It's intimidation.
Make an example. Scare other Christians into silence.
Silent prayer is now criminal in the United Kingdom.
Let that sink in.
TAKE ACTION
Support Isabel Vaughan Spruce's Legal Defense: ADF UK (Alliance Defending Freedom UK) Website: https://adfuk.org Email: info@adfuk.org Phone: +44 (0)20 7631-5790
Contact Your MP: Find your MP: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP Message: "Isabel Vaughan Spruce is being prosecuted for silent prayer. Thinking is not a crime. Praying is not a crime. Repeal buffer zone laws that criminalize religious thought and expression."
Attend Her Trial: January 29 at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. Public presence matters. Show Isabel she's not alone.
Christian Legal Centre: Website: https://christianlegalcentre.com Phone: +44 (0)20 7467-4321 Supports Christians facing legal persecution in the UK
Start a Conversation: Ask people: "If silent prayer is criminal, what's next? Silent disagreement? Wrong facial expressions? When did Britain start prosecuting thoughts?"
Donate to March for Life UK: Support the organization Isabel leads that defends unborn life Website: https://marchforlife.co.uk
