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Dr. Livia Tossici-Bolt, a 64-year-old woman, was recently found guilty of breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. She was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £20,000 fine following her actions on two separate days in March 2023. Tossici-Bolt, an anti-abortion campaigner, stood outside the clinic holding a sign that read, “Here to talk, if you want.”
The case of Tossici-Bolt garnered attention not only locally but also drew interest from the US State Department and US vice president, JD Vance. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL), a division of the US Department of State, made a statement on the matter, emphasizing the importance of respecting freedom of expression. District Judge Orla Austin, who presided over the case, noted that while Tossici-Bolt held genuine pro-life beliefs, the issue at hand was whether she had violated the terms of the PSPO.
The prosecution in this case was brought forth by Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014. The designated zone outside the clinic where Tossici-Bolt was found in breach of the PSPO had been implemented in October 2022, restricting access from 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays. Tossici-Bolt, a retired medical scientist, had no prior criminal convictions, according to her defense lawyer, Rosalind Comyn.
Tossici-Bolt expressed gratitude towards the US government for highlighting her case and advocated for the preservation of freedom of expression. Meanwhile, the CEO of BPAS, Heidi Stewart, welcomed the verdict, emphasizing the importance of protecting women’s access to healthcare without interference or harassment. In response to ongoing anti-abortion protests, national buffer zones were introduced in October 2024 to prevent disruptions within a 150-meter radius around abortion services by individuals who could face significant penalties for non-compliance
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