Stephen's Buffer Zone Protest: Prosecution's Court Costs

I'm Stephen Green. I run the Christian Voice ministry, which enables Christians to pray for and speak truth to those in power.

For the 'offence' of standing peacefully for Jesus Christ exercising my freedom of expression with a Bible verse in a 'buffer zone' I have been hit personally with prosecution costs of £10,136.50. Can you please kindly stand with me in prayer and with a donation?

CONVICTION

I was convicted under ‘Buffer Zone’ legislation in February 2024 by Uxbridge Magistrates for standing in front of the Marie Stopes abortion facility in Mattock Lane, Ealing, in February 2023, displaying a Bible verse:

Psalm 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

(‘Reins’ is an old expression for ‘kidneys’ or ‘insides’, The quote is from the King James Bible, as presented to King Charles at his coronation).

I harassed nobody, nor did I mention abortion. Nevertheless, District Judge Kathryn Verghis ruled that by holding the sign I was guilty of protesting by ‘engaging in an act of approval/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services’.

COSTS ORDER

Judge Verghis declined to fine me, instead giving me a 12-month conditional discharge. Judge Verghis also ordered me to pay Ealing Council prosecution costs of £2600. That was half what they were demanding, by the grace of God and favour from the judge, but still a considerable amount.

Refusing to pay was not an option. Later that year, the court sent a bailiff to our farm in Wales, armed with a court warrant, determined to seize property unless Ealing’s costs were paid in full. I had no option but to pay from my own bank account, which had just enough in it.

APPEAL TO CROWN COURT

On 29th October 2024 I appealed against my conviction to the Crown Court at Isleworth in South West London. Judge Alistair Hammerton upheld the magistrates’ court conviction and sentence.

PUNITIVE ORDER

This time, Ealing asked for costs of £7,536.50. In what must be seen as a punitive order, Judge Hammerton granted the costs in full and allowed me no time to pay.

I don't have £7,536.50, so that is the initial target. Otherwise the Bailiffs will be back and this time they will be seizing property. But I pray the Lord will also restore the other £2600 making a total of £10,136.50.

Please join me in praying the Lord will provide. Yes, I hate giving the ungodly this money, but there is no option. My lawyers have lodged an appeal, but there is no 'stay of execution' in the meantime.

On the wider front, these 'Buffer Zones' assault Christian freedom of expression, in my case just as much as those of Adam Smith-Connor and Livia Tossici-Bolt raised by J D Vance and the United States.

Please pray, and if you can help, I'll be grateful both to you for standing with me and to the good Lord for his favour.