A man and woman have been charged with causing a miscarriage and disposing of a dead baby.
Gloucestershire Constabulary launched a murder investigation, searching two houses – in Swindon and Cirencester – for evidence in September 2020.
Both properties forensically examined belonged to the co-accused – Elliot Benham, 23, of Wingfield, Swindon, and Sophie Harvey, 23, St Mary’s Road, Cirencester.
The pair have been jointly charged with:
1. Procure a poison / noxious thing to cause a miscarriage, contrary to Section 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861;
2. Concealment of the birth of a child, contrary to Section 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861;
3. Commit an act with the intent to pervert the course of public justice contrary to common law, namely disposing of the body of a baby.
In addition to the aforementioned, Harvey was also charged with procuring her own miscarriage by poison/use of an instrument, contrary to Section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1 September 2018 and 1 December 2018.
The ‘Offences Against the Person Act 1861′ states it is a criminal offence to try to cause your own abortion.
It is alleged in this case that the pregnancy was past 24 weeks and was not carried out by a registered medical practitioner.
In England, abortions are legal up to 24 weeks’ gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner, and can be carried out after 24 weeks in very limited circumstances.
Benham and Harvey were released on bail to attend Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 5 January.
