Isabel Vaughan-Spruce appeared in court on Thursday, 29th January, after being charged with standing in a “buffer zone” outside an abortion clinic.

At Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Ms Vaughan-Spruce entered a “not guilty” plea to a charge of interfering with access to abortion services in 2025. The charge relates to allegations that she silently prayed near an abortion facility.

The prosecution is the first brought under England’s national buffer zone laws, which came into force in October 2024 under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023.

Ms Vaughan-Spruce, who was the keynote speaker at the Pro Life Campaign’s National Conference last October was arrested twice before for silently praying outside abortion clinics. She was cleared of wrongdoing in February 2023 following her first arrest, and police later dropped their investigation after a second arrest in March 2023.

In August 2024, she was awarded £13,000 by West Midlands Police after filing a claim for unlawful arrest and breaches of her human rights.

Speaking about the latest charge, Ms Vaughan-Spruce said: “Despite being fully vindicated multiple times after being wrongfully arrested for my thoughts, it’s unbelievable that I have yet again been charged for standing in that public area and holding pro-life beliefs. Silent prayer – or holding pro-life beliefs – cannot possibly be a crime. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought.” Ms Vaughan-Spruce now faces the prospect of a five-day trial beginning in January 2027.