Christians who said 'Mohammed is a liar' have fine dropped as it is 'religious expression'
A COURT has overturned a decision to fine two men who shouted “Mohammed is a liar” outside a shopping centre in Bristol.
Christian street preachers are arrested at Bristol shopping centre
The pair also criticised homosexuality, Islam and several other religions during a fiery street preaching session in July last year.
Michael Overd, 53, and Michael Stockwell, 51, were later found guilty of religiously-aggravated public order offences.
However yesterday judges at Bristol Crown Court overturned the decision, which had carried £300 fines.
The judges stated Mr Stockwell, from New York, “did no more than express his no doubt sincerely held religious beliefs”.
They added Mr Overd, from Somerset, had also not committed a public order offence despite appearing to enjoy “working the crowd”.
A video taken at the scene shows both men, who are unordained and merely practice street preaching, shouting about Islam to a crowd of shoppers.
Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell have had fines overturned after preaching against Islam
Some members of the public appear to be arguing with the pair, who carried out their stunt on the first day of the Muslim festival of Eid.
Mr Stockwell shouted at the scene: “Allah is the greatest deceiver - that's in the Koran. You will die for your sins and be cast into hell.”
And Mr Overd said: “Mohammed is a liar and a thief, just like you and me. Buddha isn't on the cross, he is a liar, just like you and me.”
The two men were arrested after preaching outside a shopping centre
At one point the crowd are filmed chanting: “Go home!”
A policeman then arrives and tells the pair to stop immediately before he leads one of the men away.
Today the pair celebrated the decision being overturned.
Mr Stockwell told the Bristol Post today: “I feel elated that it is over. My heart is still for the Bristol people, and that they will be able to hear the gospel being preached on the streets unhindered.”
The pair were initially fined but have now been found guilty of no crimes
Mr Overd told the newspaper: “This is not an isolated case. How many times must we go to court before there is respect for the law? My heart bleeds for this country.
“But I am a patriot and I will be back on the streets to preach. My life is not my own. I am a Christian soldier and I rejoice in this prosecution.”