by Kelly Valencia, Premier
A Christian woman who was originally charged last year with silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham is now facing five charges after prosecutors brought fresh allegations against her.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce is accused of breaching an abortion clinic buffer zone on five separate occasions by standing and praying silently within 150 metres of the clinic.
The five charges were brought this week, replacing an earlier single charge which a judge said was not properly drafted.
Vaughan-Spruce has pleaded not guilty. She does not dispute that she was within the 150m buffer zone, but her lawyers argue that silently praying and being present did not amount to a criminal offence and that her prosecution breaches her freedom of thought and religion.
Vaughan-Spruce was previously acquitted in a separate case after being arrested twice over silent prayer, and received a £13,000 settlement from West Midlands Police.