Two people deny causing alleged illegal abortion
They will go on trial later this year
Last updated 16th Feb 2023
Two people have appeared in court and denied causing an alleged illegal abortion.
Elliot Benham, 23, from Swindon and Sophie Harvey, also 23, of St Mary's Road Cirencester, are jointly accused of procuring a poison to cause a miscarriage, concealing the birth of a child, and intending to pervert the course of justice by disposing of the baby's body.
Harvey has also been charged with procuring her own miscarriage by poison or use of an instrument.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between September 1 and December 1, 2018 in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
Both defendants have denied all charges that they face.
They will both now stand trial, with a trial date set for the 13th November 2023.
Abortions are legal in England up to 24 weeks' gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner, and can be carried out beyond 24 weeks in very limited circumstances.
It is alleged that in this case, the pregnancy was past 24 weeks and an abortion was not carried out by a medical practitioner.
Causing your own abortion was criminalised under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Benham, of Wingfield, Swindon, and Harvey, of St Mary's Road, Cirencester, were released on conditional bail.
They will next appear before Gloucester Crown Court on May 12.