Woman jailed for illegally obtaining abortion tablets released from prison
Carla Foster has won her case at the Court of Appeal
Last updated 18th Jul 2023
A woman from Staffordshire who was jailed for illegally obtaining abortion tablets to end her pregnancy during lockdown has won her Court of Appeal bid to reduce her sentence.
Carla Foster, who's from Barlaston will now be released from prison.
The 45-year-old was handed a 28-month extended sentence after she admitted illegally procuring her own abortion when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant.
She was jailed under legislation which dates back to 1861.
Sentencing her last month, Mr Justice Pepperall said Foster will serve half her term in custody and the remainder on licence after her release.
But at the Court of Appeal in London on Tuesday, three judges reduced her prison sentence.
Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Lambert, said Foster's sentence would be reduced to 14 months and that it should be suspended.
"This is a very sad case... It is a case that calls for compassion, not punishment," Dame Victoria said.
Foster appeared via videolink from Foston Hall prison for the hearing, wearing glasses and a dark blue top with flowers on the shoulders.
Following the Court of Appeal's decision, Clare Murphy, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said:
"We echo the judges' statements that this is a case that calls for compassion, not punishment, and are delighted with the decision to release Carla Foster from prison.
"The Court of Appeal has today recognised that this cruel, antiquated law does not reflect the values of society today.
"Now is the time to reform abortion law so that no more women are unjustly criminalised for taking desperate actions at a desperate time in their lives.