Woman accused of illegal abortion to stand trial next year

The woman is accused of taking drugs to cause a miscarriage in November 2020
Crown court stock
Isleworth Crown Court, London
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A woman accused of taking drugs for an illegal abortion is to stand trial next year, a court has heard.

The 44-year-old, who has not been named, faces a claim she “procured a miscarriage" by taking the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol.

The offence, brought under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, is said to have happened in November 2020 during the second national pandemic lockdown.

The woman appeared at Isleworth crown court on Friday, and pleaded not guilty from the dock to the charge of administering a poison with intent to procure a miscarriage.

According to the charge, the incident happened on November 6, 2020 when the woman is accused of "unlawfully administering to yourself a poison or other noxious thing, namely Mifepristone and Misoprostol, with intent to procure your own miscarriage."

Judge Fiona Barrie freed her on unconditional bail until a 12-day trial set for September 23 next year.

A further hearing in the case is due to take place next July.

The criminal charge has been brought by the Crown Prosecution Service following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

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