A retired medical scientist has been ordered to pay £20,000 in prosecution costs after being convicted of breaching a buffer zone outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic.
Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was found guilty at Poole Magistrates' Court for violating a Public Spaces Protection Order on two occasions in March 2023.
The anti-abortion activist, who leads a branch of the US Christian group 40 Days for Life, was holding a sign that read "Here to talk, if you want".
She was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay court costs plus a £26 victim surcharge.
Tossici-Bolt spoke on GB News about the conviction
PA / GB NEWS
The case has attracted international attention, particularly from the United States.
Speaking on GB News, Tossici-Bolt expressed shock at her conviction.
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"It's completely unexpected. The whole sentence was," she said.
"I never thought one could be convicted for offering conversation in the UK."
She insisted she did not approach anyone at the clinic.
"I was there to be approached and I was approached from local people from all walks of life. Students, families, people who invited me for a cup of tea."
Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was convicted for offering consensual conversation in an abortion facility “buffer zone”.Livia Tossici-BoltThe retired medical scientist maintained she was simply exercising her right to free expression in a public place.
Her case has become the focus of a free speech controversy involving the US government.
District Judge Orla Austin told the court that Tossici-Bolt "lacks insight that her presence could have a detrimental effect on the women attending the clinic".
The judge acknowledged the defendant's "truly held beliefs" but emphasised the case was about breaching the order, not abortion views.
Tossici-Bolt joined Jacob Rees-Mogg on GB News
GB NEWS
The US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor expressed disappointment with the conviction.
"We are disappointed with the UK court's conviction of Livia Tossici-Bolt for violating a designated 'buffer zone' at an abortion clinic," the department posted on X.
It added: "Freedom of expression must be protected for all."
US Vice President JD Vance has previously confronted Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the issue.
Following her conviction, Tossici-Bolt claimed women seeking abortions often lack proper information.
"For anyone to receive information in order to reach full consent, it's essential," she said.
"A lot of women are told lies and not the consequences. They are not told about the alternatives."
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service welcomed the verdict, saying it would protect women and staff providing abortion care.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council also supported the conviction, stating the buffer zone enacted in 2022 was there so patients and staff "could safely access" the clinic "without fear of intimidation".
Downing Street maintained Britain has "a very proud tradition of free speech" while emphasising women must access abortion services without harassment.
