Pastor Detained While Preaching In Britain Vows To Fight Case ‘Like Apostle Paul’ (Worthy News Investigation)

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

LONDON (Worthy News) – A Christian pastor detained over the weekend while evangelizing in a British town says he will follow the example of Apostle Paul and prove to authorities he was targeted for preaching the Gospel.

Steve Maile, senior pastor of Oasis City Church in Watford, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Central London, was arrested Saturday, April 18, by three police officers while publicly sharing his faith, Worthy News established.

Video footage obtained by Worthy News shows Maile repeatedly insisting that he had committed no offense. At one point, an officer appears to allege that he assaulted someone—an accusation Maile firmly denies.

Maile was later released and posted a video on social media thanking supporters for their prayers.

PASTOR CITES PAUL’S DEFENSE

In the video, Maile said he intends to defend himself in a manner similar to Paul, who invoked his legal rights under Roman law, according to the Bible.

“Paul, when he sat in prison and was abused by the Roman authorities, said, ‘I’m a Roman citizen. I’ve got rights too,’” Maile said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

He added that he plans to consult lawyers and challenge the case, saying he is prepared to take the matter further.

Maile said he had been released on bail for three months.

CLAIMS OF ABUSE AND DETENTION

Maile told supporters he had been “absolutely brutalised and victimised by the British police” and was left in “excruciating pain” after spending about 12 hours in custody, including time in what he described as “double handcuffs,” and being held in a cell.

“Folks, I’ve been up all night with bruising and pain in my body. I was unable to sleep,” he said while holding up a King James Bible.

He described the allegations against him as “totally false” and maintained that he had not assaulted anyone.

During the arrest, he can be heard telling officers: “There is no offense being committed here… I have not assaulted anyone.”

WARNING FROM REVELATION

Maile said his preaching included a warning drawn from the Biblical Book of Revelation, referring to judgment and salvation.

He cited a passage about “the books” being opened and those not found in the “Lamb’s book of life” facing eternal punishment.

Such passages, associated with final judgment, are often used by some Christian preachers to call listeners to repentance and faith.

Maile said he shared that message during his interaction with police.

POLICE RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION

Authorities confirmed that a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault and a public order offense involving “racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary said in a statement: “On Saturday 18 April, a man aged in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault and a Section 5 public order offence.”

The statement added that “He has been released on bail while enquiries into the public order offence continue. No further action is being taken in relation to the assault.”

Authorities have not disclosed any financial conditions related to the bail.

DEFIANT RESPONSE AFTER RELEASE

Despite the investigation, Maile struck a defiant tone following his release.

“You will never ever stop Steve Maile from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.

He also insisted that he had been arrested solely for preaching the Bible.

The circumstances surrounding the public order allegation remain under investigation.

CRITICISM AND PUBLIC DEBATE

He claimed institutions such as the government, monarchy, and police were “in bed with Islam,” without elaborating.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the Muslim community as “the face of modern Britain.

King Charles III has in the past praised what he views as the Islamic world’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

As Prince of Wales, he once said that “the Islamic world is the custodian of one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity.”

BROADER TENSIONS OVER PREACHING

Maile is not the first street preacher in Britain to face police action following complaints from members of the public.

Pastor Dia Moodley was arrested in Bristol last November on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after discussing differences between Christianity and Islam. He later claimed he had been attacked by a group of men, though those allegations remain disputed.

In another incident in February, police in London’s Whitechapel district declined to act against a street preacher despite objections from bystanders, citing the individual’s right to free speech.

POLICE WARNING IN SEPARATE INCIDENT

Separate footage obtained by Worthy News appears to show a police officer identifying himself as being from Guildford Police Station in Surrey, southwest of London, issuing a warning to a street preacher over alleged public disturbance.

“My understanding is that the other day you were given a community protection warning,” the officer says, adding that the behavior was “causing harassment, alarm, and distress.”

The preacher challenges the claim, asking: “What have I done that’s wrong? What, preaching the word of God?”

The officer replies that the warning had been breached and that a community protection notice was being issued.

POLICE CITE DISTRESS COMPLAINTS

The officer warns that breaching the notice could lead to arrest.

“Causing annoyance, upset, and distress to the local community and businesses of Guildford town centre,” the officer says, describing the alleged conduct.

He adds that concerns include “the content that you are choosing to preach” and “the amplified volume of your voice,” which he says “comes across as shouting.”

“This is upsetting to people to the extent that they call the police,” the officer says.

TIMING UNCLEAR, BROADER QUESTIONS RAISED

It was not immediately clear when the incident occurred. Yet it raised broader questions.

The Maile case highlights ongoing tensions in the United Kingdom over the balance between freedom of expression and laws governing public order and hate speech.

For now, Maile remains on bail as authorities continue their investigation.

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