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Rights case over foetus pictures | Rights case over foetus pictures |
(2 days later) | |
An anti-abortion campaigner is claiming her human rights were breached when she was convicted for sending pictures of aborted foetuses to chemists. | An anti-abortion campaigner is claiming her human rights were breached when she was convicted for sending pictures of aborted foetuses to chemists. |
Veronica Connolly was convicted in 2005 for sending the "offensive" pictures to chemists in Solihull, West Midlands who sold the morning-after pill. | Veronica Connolly was convicted in 2005 for sending the "offensive" pictures to chemists in Solihull, West Midlands who sold the morning-after pill. |
The 51-year-old Roman Catholic from Sheldon, Birmingham, claims her freedom of speech was breached. | The 51-year-old Roman Catholic from Sheldon, Birmingham, claims her freedom of speech was breached. |
Judgement in her case was reserved by senior judges at London's High Court. | |
Mrs Connolly, who believes that abortion is a form of murder, claims she is engaged in a lawful protest and the conviction is a breach of her right to freedom of expression under the common law and articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. | Mrs Connolly, who believes that abortion is a form of murder, claims she is engaged in a lawful protest and the conviction is a breach of her right to freedom of expression under the common law and articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. |
We say this is protected speech of the highest political, social and religious nature Paul Diamond | We say this is protected speech of the highest political, social and religious nature Paul Diamond |
Her counsel, Paul Diamond, told the High Court that the act under which Mrs Connolly was convicted - the Malicious Communications Act - did not apply in matters of public interest such as abortion. | Her counsel, Paul Diamond, told the High Court that the act under which Mrs Connolly was convicted - the Malicious Communications Act - did not apply in matters of public interest such as abortion. |
Mrs Connolly had been wrongly been charged under a law primarily devised to deal with the problem of "poison pen" letters and similar social evils, said Mr Diamond. | Mrs Connolly had been wrongly been charged under a law primarily devised to deal with the problem of "poison pen" letters and similar social evils, said Mr Diamond. |
It was never her intention to cause anxiety or distress but to "educate and inform" individuals about the controversial issues of abortion. | It was never her intention to cause anxiety or distress but to "educate and inform" individuals about the controversial issues of abortion. |
Mr Diamond said: "We say this is protected speech of the highest political, social and religious nature relating to an issue of public concern, namely abortion." | Mr Diamond said: "We say this is protected speech of the highest political, social and religious nature relating to an issue of public concern, namely abortion." |
Anti-abortion group | Anti-abortion group |
The charges against Mrs Connolly relate to pictures of aborted foetuses sent to Moss Pharmacy, Olton Pharmacy and Moss Pharmacy (Solihull) between January and March 2005. | The charges against Mrs Connolly relate to pictures of aborted foetuses sent to Moss Pharmacy, Olton Pharmacy and Moss Pharmacy (Solihull) between January and March 2005. |
Mrs Connolly, who has been described as "an activist" in the UK Life League, a militant anti-abortion group, started writing to pharmacies in 2004. | Mrs Connolly, who has been described as "an activist" in the UK Life League, a militant anti-abortion group, started writing to pharmacies in 2004. |
The court heard she admitted sending the foetus pictures, but maintained they were not indecent or grossly offensive. | The court heard she admitted sending the foetus pictures, but maintained they were not indecent or grossly offensive. |
Although the letters mostly appeared to have been opened by a supervisor, manager or head pharmacist, one had been opened by a member of staff whose relative had recently given birth to a still-born child. | Although the letters mostly appeared to have been opened by a supervisor, manager or head pharmacist, one had been opened by a member of staff whose relative had recently given birth to a still-born child. |
Mrs Connolly was given a 12-month conditional discharge by Solihull magistrates in October 2005 and ordered to pay legal costs. | Mrs Connolly was given a 12-month conditional discharge by Solihull magistrates in October 2005 and ordered to pay legal costs. |
The conviction was later upheld by Coventry Crown Court. | The conviction was later upheld by Coventry Crown Court. |
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