Couple deny triggering miscarriage ‘with poison bought from India’ and disposing of baby’s body
A COUPLE today denied triggering a miscarriage with poison and disposing of a baby’s body.
Sophie Harvey, 23, allegedly took abortion pill Mifepristone while pregnant to bring about a miscarriage.
The legal limit for an abortion is 24 weeks unless in very limited circumstances and must be carried out by a registered medical practitioner.
Harvey was past 24 weeks pregnant and the abortion was not carried out by a professional, it is alleged.
She appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court today with her partner Elliot Benham, 23.
They pleaded not guilty to procuring a poison from India to cause a miscarriage and concealment of the birth of a child.
The pair also denied committing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice by disposing of the body of a baby.
Harvey pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of procuring her own miscarriage by poison or use of instrument.
The alleged offences took place between 1 September, 2018, and 1 December, 2018.
They came to light when searches were carried out by police in Swindon and Cirencester in September 2020.
A provisional trial date was set for November 13 at the Cirencester Courthouse.
The couple were released on conditional bail to next appear for a hearing on May 12.
Causing your own abortion was criminalised under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.