Shaun O’Sullivan, a street preacher, was arrested in Swindon in March 2020 after explaining how Christians worship a different God to Muslims. Four years later, Shaun faced charges after being accused of saying “We love the Jews”, “Jew haters,” and “Palestine lovers,” at a group of Muslims in Swindon town centre on 15 September 2024.
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Shaun came to Christ after overcoming drug addiction and a life of crime. He himself used to mock street preachers until he found salvation in Jesus Christ, who turned his life around completely. Shaun himself became a street preacher, wanting to share his faith with everyone around him.
Timeline
2020:
- March: When a member of the public suggested to him that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, Shaun started to address the issue of Islam, and compared Jesus to Muhammad, and even Buddha. For this, Shaun was arrested by police in Swindon town centre in March 2020 and charged with a public order offence.
- With support from the Christian Legal Centre, Shaun was later found not guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court.
- He commented: ““I am relieved that the magistrates have seen sense and found me not guilty. It was never my intention to offend or upset people. My intention was to tell the truth based on the evidence in the Bible and Islamic scripture, and when you do that in public there is always someone who will be offended. Offending someone is not and never should be seen as a crime.”
2024:
- September: Shaun is accused of saying “We love the Jews”, “Jew haters,” and “Palestine lovers,” at a group of Muslims in Swindon town centre.
- They claimed they felt targeted because they were wearing hijabs, and during their 999 call, the complainant said, ‘We just felt very unsafe… calling us Jew haters, Palestine lovers.’ The call handler immediately replied, ‘No, I’ll put a hate claim on,’ categorising the incident as a hate crime without any supporting evidence.
- The case unfolded in the weeks leading up to the one-year anniversary of the 7 October attacks when there were frequent pro-Palestine marches in Swindon town centre. The case relied heavily on the Muslim family’s testimony.
2025:
- November: Shaun is cleared by a jury at Swindon Crown Court after a trial that raised serious questions about freedom of speech and the policing of so-called “hate claims.” There was no audio or video evidence of the alleged remarks, and CCTV showed the family walking past in seconds, with no prolonged confrontation. The only footage showed a brief encounter between the groups which was mostly hidden by some town centre modern art sculptures. Witness recollections were inconsistent, including details such as clothing and whether a microphone was used. Under cross-examination from Shaun’s solicitor advocate, Michael Phillips, the complainant admitted she had not heard the full message and that her recollection was shaped by strong views on the Gaza conflict.
- His defence argued that any remarks were part of a general theological and political message, not personal abuse, and warned that prosecuting robust public debate risks criminalising protected speech under Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Speaking after the not guilty verdict, O’Sullivan said: “I was once lost, but Christ changed everything. My heart is to share the good news and love all people. I never intended harm. This case shows how vital it is to protect freedom of speech and Christian freedom.”
Videos and media coverage
- Thought police arrest Christian preacher for saying ‘God bless you’ at Muslim Palestine protesters – Daily Mail
- Christian preacher arrested after telling Muslim protesters: ‘God bless you’ – GB News
- Christian preacher claims he was arrested for saying ‘God bless you’ to Muslim protestors – the Express
- ‘Arrested For Spreading CHRISTIANITY!’ | Street Preacher Cleared By Jury For Saying “We Love Jews” – Talk TV