News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Michael-Overd-main_article_image.jpg
Photo: Christian Concern
UK News

'I'll take whatever - God gives the victory': regularly arrested street preacher released again

by Cara Bentley

This time, he failed in January to leave Bridgwater town centre in Somerset after police told him to move on after he was preaching publicly.

However, Taunton Magistrates Court threw out the latest case over a 'technicality' as police said they failed to complete the proper paperwork.

Mr Overd has been summoned to court four times over public order offences in total.

He was found not guilty of the first, two guilty findings were overturned at appeal level and the fourth case was dropped.

He was also fined £300 in March 2017 and was acquitted in Bristol Crown court in June 2017 after appealing a conviction in the lower courts.

After his latest release, he said: 'I'll take whatever - God gives the victory. But it's bad that I'm still being harassed for the same reason.

"I was just preaching when a handful of troublemakers started becoming aggressive - one man threatened to rip my face off.

"One of the complainants reported me to police just for looking at them.

"I refused to accept a Section 35 order (requesting him to leave the area) so I was arrested."

A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset police said: "Mr Overd has made an official complaint to the police. That is ongoing and is currently being investigated, so we are unable to comment at this stage."

A petition has previously been active in Taunton, calling for him to be banned from preaching after he allegedly said a gay person would go to hell.

In 2012, it was claimed that he told a gay couple they would "burn in hell".

In 2017, he was accused of Islamaphobia.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate