A preacher commonly seen in the town centre has denied racial and religious abuse of Palestinians and Muslims.
It is alleged that Shaun O’Sullivan, of Whitbourne Avenue, Park North, verbally insulted three people based on an assumption they were Muslim and Palestinian on September 15, 2024.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of religiously aggravated harassment and one count of racially aggravated harassment at Swindon Crown Court on November 15.
Andy Pickett, prosecuting, said: “The motivation is, having identified their appearance, either demonstrating religion or race, the comments were then made.”
The 35-year-old defendant appeared wearing a blue hoodie, and a member of the public in the gallery shouted: "God bless you."
O’Sullivan has been regularly seen speaking into a loudspeaker about God and the Bible in the town centre but has been prevented from entering the town centre under his court bail conditions following an earlier court appearance.
Defence solicitor Tom Wilkins said this was causing him significant inconvenience with travel due to most buses passing through the town centre.
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An application to vary his bail conditions so that he can enter but cannot preach in the town centre is anticipated. His previous bail conditions remained.
Website Christian Concern says about O’Sullivan: “Shaun…himself used to mock street preachers until he found salvation in Jesus Christ, who turned his life around completely.
“Shaun himself became a street preacher, wanting to share his faith with everyone around him.”
Judge James Townsend anticipated a “relatively short trial” scheduled for two to three days starting on November 5, 2025.
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