Christian street preacher acquitted by jury after ‘Islamophobia hate claim’ for saying ‘we love the Jews’
Christian street preacher Shaun O’Sullivan has been 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.”
23 November 2025 Press OfficeWin for street preachers arrested for Bible preaching outside ‘Witchcraft Emporium’ flying LGBTQI flags in Glastonbury
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dropped a case against two street preachers who faced being criminalised following arrests for refusing to stop preaching from the Bible on Glastonbury High Street.
6 March 2024 Press OfficeWIN for street preacher reported to Prevent for ‘misgendering’ as judge overturns conviction
Today a Judge has overturned the conviction of a Christian street preacher who was arrested and reported to Prevent for 'misgendering' a member of the public.
9 March 2023 Press Office
Win for street preacher as ‘misgendering’ conviction overturned
A judge has overturned the conviction of a Christian street preacher who was arrested and reported to Prevent for ‘misgendering’ a member of the public. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Dave McConnell, 42, from Wakefield, was appealing a conviction today at Leeds Crown Court after he was arrested under section 4A of the Public ...
9 March 2023 ArticlesFirst street preacher arrested and reported to counter-terrorism for ‘misgendering’ to appeal conviction
A Christian lettings agent who became the first street preacher to be prosecuted and reported to counter-terrorism for alleged ‘misgendering’, is set to appeal his conviction this week at Leeds Crown Court.
7 March 2023 Press Office
Another street preacher victory after police arrest for ‘hate speech’
A Christian preacher who was arrested for criticising Muhammad and Buddha has been found not guilty following a court hearing. Shaun O’Sullivan, 32, who has been supported by the Christian Legal Centre, was arrested in Swindon town centre on 11 March 2020, for alleged ‘hate speech’ and causing harassment, alarm and distress. Last month, however, ...
3 November 2022 ArticlesHeckler turned street preacher found not guilty after police arrest for ‘hate speech’
A Christian preacher who was arrested for criticising Muhammad and Buddha has been found not guilty following a court hearing.
2 November 2022 Press Office
Bristol street preachers win permission to appeal over police arrests
Four Christian preachers have won the right to appeal a judgment that ruled they had been lawfully arrested for preaching in Bristol City Centre. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, the four preachers – Mike Overd, Don Karns, Mike Stockwell and AJ Clarke – had originally brought claims against Avon and Somerset police for: assault, false ...
19 October 2021 ArticlesBristol street preachers win permission to appeal over police arrests
Four Christian preachers have won the right to appeal a judgment that ruled they had been lawfully arrested for preaching in Bristol City Centre.
19 October 2021 Press Office
Victory as magistrates rule street preachers were free to evangelise in lockdown
London magistrates have thrown out a case against a Christian preacher, who was fined and prosecuted by the Metropolitan police for evangelising on Good Friday, 2020. Joshua Sutcliffe, 31, along with one socially distanced friend, was preaching and handing out leaflets in Camden, North London, on 10 April 2020 when the two of them were ...
23 July 2021 ArticlesMagistrates rule street preachers were entitled to evangelise and gather during lockdown
London magistrates have thrown out a case against a Christian preacher, who was fined and prosecuted by the Metropolitan police for evangelising on Good Friday, 2020.
23 July 2021 Press Office
Police issue first street preacher pay out for heavy handedness during lockdown
A Christian charity leader has been given the first lockdown related compensation award from Dorset police after being manhandled and unlawfully prevented from preaching on the back of his truck. With thanks to support from the Christian Legal Centre, police have now paid street preacher Dominic Muir, 44, £1,250 in damages and costs. Police mounted ...
26 October 2020 Articles“I was treated like a potential criminal”: Police issue first pay out to street preacher for heavy handedness during lockdown
A Christian charity leader has been given the first lockdown related compensation award from police after being manhandled and unlawfully prevented from preaching on the back of his truck.
26 October 2020 Press Office
Crazy cathedrals and stately street preachers
Christian Concern Communications Manager, Paul Huxley, comments on Norwich Cathedral’s recent decision to install a helter skelter ride in its nave. What’s wrong with putting crazy golf courses and helter skelters in cathedrals? The decision of Norwich Cathedral to install a helter skelter in its nave has ignited debate about the role of cathedrals in ...
12 August 2019 Articles
Police payout after Christian street preacher arrest
Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, a Christian street preacher has been offered £2,500 in exemplary damages from the Metropolitan Police in relation to his false arrest, imprisonment and unlawful detention. In February, a video showing the aggressive arrest of Pastor Oluwole Ilesanmi (64) was watched by millions around the world, prompting outrage. Officers were ...
28 July 2019 ArticlesMet Police pays damages to Nigerian street preacher after wrongful arrest
A Christian street preacher has been offered £2,500 in exemplary damages from the Metropolitan Police in relation to his false arrest, imprisonment and unlawful detention. In February, a video showing the aggressive arrest of Pastor Oluwole Ilesanmi (64) was watched by millions around the world, prompting outrage. Officers were shown forcibly handcuffing the preacher, claiming ...
28 July 2019 Press OfficeChristian street preachers acquitted of public order offences
Two Christian street preachers have today been acquitted of public order offences, after being convicted in February in what was described as a "modern day heresy trial".
29 June 2017 Press OfficeChristian street preacher acquitted after facing public order offence charge
Another street preacher who was charged under the Public Order Act 1986, after allegedly entering a discussion with two passers-by about homosexuality, has been acquitted.
12 July 2017 Press OfficeVictory for street preacher held in cell for 13 hours for sharing love for Muslims and truth of Islam
A Christian street preacher who was arrested on 23 June and held for 13 hours in a police cell, after displaying placards depicting love for Muslims and criticising the ideology of Islam, has this week been informed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that no charges will be brought against him.
16 August 2017 Press OfficeChristian street preacher cleared of hate speech conviction
A Christian street preacher has had his conviction for using ‘threatening and discriminatory language’ whilst preaching in Lincoln overturned yesterday (7 December) by the Crown Court. Daniel Courney, aged 33, had appealed against a decision by Lincoln Magistrates on 14 September after the CPS pressed charges over complaints by Muslims in the area.
8 December 2017 Press OfficeTwo street preachers interviewed for hate speech in Camberley, Surrey have all charges dropped
A Reading street preacher of 30 years (Dave Barker) and co-preacher (Stephen Wan) have had all charges dropped against them.
16 January 2018 Press OfficePolice caught out by street preacher evidence
The story of a Christian street preacher, whose video of arrest went viral across the world, has caught out the Metropolitan Police, who have had to change their story about what happened.
13 March 2019 Press Office
Britain’s ‘most arrested’ street preacher wins free speech victory
In a victory for freedom of speech, Britain’s ‘most arrested’ street preacher, Mike Overd, has walked free from conviction after his fifth prosecution. With four previous prosecutions – and no convictions – street preacher Mike Overd was accused in January of this year of ‘offending’ members of the public and charged with ‘anti-social behaviour’. However, ...
4 April 2019 Articles
Government challenged over arrest of street preacher
In response to the arrest of street preacher Olu, written questions have been raised to the government, find out what was said below. The arrest of street preacher Oluwole on Saturday 23rd February outside Southgate Tube station prompted outrage on social media as the video quickly went viral. Watch our video reconstruction of the arrest: Read ...
15 March 2019 Articles