Politics
Tuesday March 10, 2009
U.K. Pro-Life Activist Jailed for 12 Weeks for Sending Pictures of Aborted Babies to Company
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By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
KINGS LYNN, UK, March 10, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro-life campaigner Edward (Ted) Atkinson was sentenced to jail for 12 weeks last Wednesday after he sent graphic images of aborted and disfigured babies to a bed company in Wales, Lynn News has reported.
This is not the first time that Atkinson has been criminally charged for sending such materials through the mail. On May 4, 2006 he was convicted at Swaffham Magistrates Court, Norfolk under the "Malicious Communications Act" for sending pro-life material through the post to Mrs. Ruth May, Chief Executive of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn.
Atkinson was also handed an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) that forbade him from ever again sending out graphic pro-life materials.
On December 12, 2007, he was again arrested for the crime of sending pro-life material through the post. This time, he was charged with both breaching his ASBO and violating the Malicious Communications Act.
Judges in Lynn Magistrates' Court heard that Mr. Atkinson had sent pictures of aborted children, with a sticker containing the words "abortion is murder" and a warning message which stated "graphic material for mature adults," to the Adjustomatic bed company along with some other paperwork. It is unclear why Atkinson chose to send the materials to that particular company.
The court was told that the disturbing images left a manager and secretary with "severe anxiety and distress."
Mr. Atkinson admitted that by sending the material to the company he was in breach of the ASBO. However, he told investigating police that he believed the ASBO had no binding force, since no-one can be prohibited from exposing mass murder.
Michael Phillips, the lawyer representing Atkinson, told Lynn News, "Legally he is guilty of this offence but he does not feel morally guilty."
The UK pro-life action group LifeLeague praised Mr. Atkinson's actions in standing up for the lives of the unborn.
"We are honoured to stand with Ted in this his latest crusade for the unborn child. He is one of our finest heroes in the fight to end abortion. His fearless dedication should serve as an inspiration to us all," a LifeLeague spokesman said in statement.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
74-Year-Old UK Pro-Lifer Jailed, Denied Health Care for Sending Abortion Pics to Hospital
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/may/06050904.html
Criminal Charges for Showing Abortion Pictures Violate Freedom of Speech Rights: Editor of NRO
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jul/06070403.html
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