BRITAIN: Street Preacher Awarded $20K After Bust For Anti-Gay Speech

Britain's Daily Mail tabloid reports that a street preacher has been awarded just over $20K in a lawsuit filed after he was arrested for telling two teenagers that they will burn in hell for being gay.

John Craven, 57, recited from Revelation after two gay teenagers asked about his views on homosexuality. But after he read from chapter 21, verse eight – which says sinners will burn in a lake of fire and sulphur – police arrested him on suspicion of committing a public order offence. He was taken to a police cell where he claims he was denied food, water and access to medication for his rheumatoid arthritis. He was fingerprinted, had to give a sample of his DNA and told he was being investigated for allegedly using insulting words with the intention of causing harassment, alarm or distress – which could have led to a six-month jail sentence. Two days later, however, police told him there would be no charges and no further action.

The Christian Institute, Britain's version of the Family Research Council, funded the suit on Craven's behalf. According to the above-linked source, damages were awarded due to a violation of the Human Rights Act, as Craven was denied the freedom to "manifest his religion and freedom of expression, including the freedom to impart ideas without interference by a public authority."

NOTE: The Craven outcome, if accurately reported, appears to contradict previous incidents in which street preachers were arrested and fined for anti-gay public speech.