Swindon Borough Council has taken action to prevent a street preacher from using amplified sound in the town centre.
Shaun O'Sullivan has been warned that he will be served with a Community Protection Notice if he does not stop creating an 'abhorrently' loud noise.
Mr O'Sullivan, who credits Christianity with having turned him away from drug addiction, held a small gathering outside the Civic Offices in Euclid Street to protest against the decision.
However, the council says it has received numerous complaints and that Mr O'Sullivan's activities are having a detrimental effect on residents, shoppers and businesses in the area affected.
Mr O'Sullivan said: "I became a pastor with the Awaken Church in Swindon and I preach in the town centre.
"I've helped lead loads of people away from drug addiction into new lives, I've helped to get knives off the streets of Swindon, but I have been banned from Swindon town centre for saying, 'God bless you' and, 'Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ' - for harassment.
"The council came round just after I'd had a stroke, with a security team, banning me from being able to use an amplified system in town, when other groups can do that.
"They said I'm not allowed to share my personal beliefs."
A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: "We have received numerous complaints about Mr O’Sullivan’s behaviour in the town centre, particularly relating to the use of his loud speaker.
"It was clear from the complaints we received that the persistent, abhorrently loud noise, was having a detrimental impact on the quality of life for residents, shoppers, and local businesses .
Mr O'Sullivan, who credits Christianity with having turned him away from drug addiction, held a small gathering outside the Civic Offices in Euclid Street to protest against the decision.
However, the council says it has received numerous complaints and that Mr O'Sullivan's activities are having a detrimental effect on residents, shoppers and businesses in the area affected.
Mr O'Sullivan said: "I became a pastor with the Awaken Church in Swindon and I preach in the town centre.
"I've helped lead loads of people away from drug addiction into new lives, I've helped to get knives off the streets of Swindon, but I have been banned from Swindon town centre for saying, 'God bless you' and, 'Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ' - for harassment.
"The council came round just after I'd had a stroke, with a security team, banning me from being able to use an amplified system in town, when other groups can do that.
"They said I'm not allowed to share my personal beliefs."
A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: "We have received numerous complaints about Mr O’Sullivan’s behaviour in the town centre, particularly relating to the use of his loud speaker.
"It was clear from the complaints we received that the persistent, abhorrently loud noise, was having a detrimental impact on the quality of life for residents, shoppers, and local businesses .
“We have therefore taken action to stop this anti-social activity by serving Mr O’Sullivan with a formal written warning that if he does not stop using his loud speaker in the town centre he will be served with a Community Protection Notice.
"This could result in him being issued with a fine of £100 or, alternatively, lead to prosecution as breaching a Community Protection Order is a criminal offence.”
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