AN anti-abortion activist embroiled in a free speech controversy has been convicted of breaching a protected ‘buffer zone’ outside an abortion clinic.

Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was found guilty at Poole Magistrates Court after holding up a sign which read ‘Here to talk, if you want’ near a Bournemouth abortion clinic on two days in March 2023.

The retired medical scientist was convicted of twice violating the Public Spaces Protection Order outside the facility, which is run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (Bpas). 

She has been sentenced to a conditional discharge for two years for two charges of breaching a ‘buffer zone’ outside the abortion clinic.

District Judge Orla Austin also ordered Tossici-Bolt to pay £20,000 towards court costs and a £26 victim surcharge. 

 The case attracted the attention of the US State department and US vice president JD Vance.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL) – which sits within the US State Department – said one of its advisors had met Ms Tossici-Bolt and was ‘monitoring’ her case.

In a statement on X before the verdict, it said: ‘It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.’

Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was found guilty at Poole Magistrates Court after holding up a sign which read ‘Here to talk, if you want’ near a Bournemouth abortion clinic on two days in March 2023

During a speech at the Munich security conference in February, US vice president Vance highlighted the case of Adam Smith-Connor, who was convicted last year of breaching the same council-enacted buffer zone, suggesting it showed ‘in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat’. 

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Asked about Tossici-Bolt’s conviction, a Number 10 spokesman said generally that while ‘the right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy’ people don’t have the right to ‘harass’ others.

Quizzed on whether free speech still exists in Britain: ‘The UK has a very proud tradition of free speech over many centuries.’

The Telegraph previously quoted a source ‘familiar with trade negotiations’ between the UK and US as saying that there should be ‘no free trade without free speech’.

However, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said that free speech had not been part of tariff negotiations with the US.

District Judge Austin said while she accepted Tossici-Bolt’s pro-life beliefs ‘were truly held’ the case ‘is not about the rights and wrongs about abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order)’.

The judge added of the defendant: ‘She lacks insight that her presence could have a detrimental effect on the women attending the clinic, their associates, staff and members of the public.

‘I am satisfied so that I am sure that the defendant did fail without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement of the PSPO, namely she failed to leave the safe zone on both the 2nd of March and 3rd March 2023 when asked by an authorised officer.’

The judge said that the costs fee of £20,000 was a “proportionate” contribution to the £64,709.59 requested by the prosecution which was presented by a KC and junior at the two-day magistrates’ court trial. 

Police officers had told Tossici-Bolt to leave after a woman said she felt intimidated and harassed by her presence. 

She refused, claiming she was given no legitimate reason for doing so. 

She also rejected a fixed penalty notice that was issued to her. 

Tossici-Bolt has been sentenced to a conditional discharge for two years for twice breaching the ‘buffer zone’ outside the abortion clinic

The buffer zone at Ophir Road outside the abortion clinic was put in place on October 13 2022, and is in force from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

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Buffer zones ban protests within 150 metres of a clinic or hospital providing abortion services in England and Wales and those convicted of breaking the law could face an unlimited fine. 

Defending, Rosalind Comyn said: ‘The council hasn’t produced any evidence that Ms Tossici-Bolt was in fact either observed by any service user or any other forms of harm were caused by her behaviour.

‘My point is not that breaches can never cause harm rather that there is no evidence that Ms Tossici-Bolt’s conduct did in this case.’

She said her client had no previous convictions.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council welcomed Tossici-Bolt’s conviction, saying the buffer zone enforced in 2022 was there so patients and staff ‘could safely access’ the clinic ‘without fear of intimidation’.

A spokesman added: ‘We will continue to monitor any alleged breaches of this PSPO and will take appropriate action when necessary.’

Bpas chief executive Heidi Stewart said: ‘Bpas welcomes today’s verdict which will protect women and the staff who provide abortion care.  

‘The clinic in Bournemouth has been subjected to decades of anti-abortion protests which resulted in more than 500 reports of harassment before this local safe access zone was brought into force.

‘This case was never about global politics but about the simple ability of women to access legal healthcare free from harassment.’ 

The retired medical scientist said she had ‘been dragged through court merely for offering consensual conversation’

 The ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom), an international religious campaigning organisation, has been supporting Tossici-Bolt with her case.

Speaking after her conviction, Tossici-Bolt said: ‘This is a dark day for Great Britain. 

‘I was not protesting and did not harass or obstruct anyone. 

‘All I did was offer consensual conversation in a public place, as is my basic right, and yet the court found me guilty.

‘Freedom of expression is in a state of crisis in the UK. What has happened to this country? 

‘The US State Department was right to be concerned by this case as it has serious implications for the entire Western world.

‘I remain committed to fighting for free speech, not only for my own sake, but for all my fellow citizens. 

‘If we allow this precedent of censorship to stand, nobody’s right to freely express themselves is secure.

‘With ADF International’s support, I will now consider all legal options.’  

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, said: ‘This is the first time in UK history that someone has been convicted for offering a conversation. 

‘This is a fine of £20,000 for nothing more than offering a conversation. 

‘The idea that Livia should be selling her house is grossly disproportionate. 

‘The nature of the special relationship (with the USA) is that we have shared values of freedom of speech and liberty. 

‘The slippery slope is very clear. In a free democratic society we must consider what is true. 

‘I am sure there are people across the world who consider this a despicable decision. 

‘The message is clear. If you hold pro-life views in a public place then there will be consequences.’