Pair from Swindon and Cirencester charged with illegal miscarriage
They also allegedly disposed of a baby's body illegally
Two people have been charged with causing a miscarriage and disposing of a baby's body illegally, following a major police investigation in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
In September 2020, officers made searches in Swindon and Cirencester, following offences that allegedly took place between September and December 2018:
- Procure a poison / noxious thing to cause a miscarriage, contrary to Section 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
- Concealment of the birth of a child, contrary to Section 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
- Commit an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice contrary to common law, namely disposing of the body of a baby.
Police believe an abortion was made after the mother was 24 weeks pregnant, and was not carried out by a registered medical practitioner.
Elliot Benham, of Wingfield, Kingsdown in Swindon and Sophie Harvey, of St Mary's Road, Cirencester, are alleged to have committed the offences.
The pair, both aged 23, have now been released on bail. They will attend Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Thursday 5 January.