Woman found guilty of breaching Public Spaces Protection Order outside abortion clinic

A woman has been convicted of breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) imposed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, after standing outside a Pregnancy Advisory Clinic holding a sign which read “Here to talk, if you want to”.

In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council v Livia Tossici-Bolt, District Judge Orla Austin found Livia Tossici-Bolt guilty of failing “without reasonable excuse” to comply with a requirement of the PSPO, after failing to leave the abortion clinic “safe zone” on both the 2nd and 3rd March 2023 when asked by an Authorised Officer.

The judge noted: “Although it is accepted that this defendant holds pro-life views and volunteers in related causes, it is important to note that this case is not about the rights and wrongs of abortion but about whether she was in breach of the requirements of the PSPO.”

The Council imposed a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on 13 October 2022 in respect of the area surrounding the British Pregnancy Advisory Service clinic on Ophir Road, Bournemouth.

The clinic provides a sexual health centre which includes abortion services.

The PSPO was subject to legal challenge by the defendant in Tossici-Bolt & Anor v Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, heard on October 17, 2023.

The challenge related to whether the PSPO exceeded the council’s statutory powers or “unjustifiably interfered” with individual rights and freedoms, including those guaranteed by Articles 9, 10, and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Administrative Court held that the council had “lawfully followed the required democratic and consultative procedures” for making the order, and that to the extent the order interfered with the human rights of the claimant and others, that interference was “justified by the legitimate aim of protecting the rights of women attending the clinic, their associates, and the staff.”

The recent prosecution arose out of events on 2nd and 3rd March 2023, when Tossici-Bolt stood in the area to which the PSPO applies holding a sign which read “Here to talk, if you want to”.

The judge noted that on both dates, she was approached by Council Community Safety Support officers and asked to leave the safe zone, but she declined to do so.

The trial was heard over two days at Poole Magistrates’ Court on the 5th and 6th March 2025, at which Tossici-Bolt was found guilty of breaching the terms of the PSPO.

In her analysis, District Judge Orla Austin said: “I conclude that [the defendant] lacks insight into the fact that her presence in the circumstances described could have a detrimental impact upon women attending the clinic, their associates, the staff, and members of the public.”

The legal action has captured the interest of the US State Department and Vice President JD Vance, with the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour announcing on X that it has been “monitoring” Tossici-Bolt’s case.

A State Department Spokesperson said: “We are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.”

A Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council spokesperson said: “The Council welcomes the Court’s decision to find Ms Tossici-Bolt guilty of breaching the terms of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

“The council introduced the Public Spaces Protection Order covering the British Pregnancy Advisory Clinic in Ophir Rd so that all patients and staff could safely access this clinic without fear of intimidation and that all people in the locality are protected.

“We will continue to monitor any alleged breaches of this PSPO and will take appropriate action when necessary.”

 Lottie Winson