Man and woman charged with forcibly triggering a miscarriage and disposing of the body of a baby

Two people have been charged with forcibly triggering a miscarriage and disposing of the body of a baby following a years-long investigation. 

Elliot Benham, 23, and Sophie Harvey, 23, were arrested following property searches that took place more than two years ago.

The pair are charged with ‘procuring a poison/noxious thing to cause a miscarriage’, concealing the birth of a child and disposing of a baby’s body.

It is believed the offences took place between September 1, 2018 and December 1, 2018, and follow a long investigation by Gloucestershire police’s Major Crime Investigation Team.

Elliot Benham, 23, and Sophie Harvey, 23, were arrested following property searches (pictured) that took place more than two years ago

The pair are charged with ‘procuring a poison/noxious thing to cause a miscarriage’, concealing the birth of a child and disposing of a baby’s body 

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The ‘Offences Against the Person Act 1861’ states it is a criminal offence to try to cause your own abortion (Pictured: Police at a property during the investigation phase)

Benham, of Swindon, Wiltshire, and Harvey, of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, will both appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 5.

This is the first update in the case after searches took place at locations in Swindon and Cheltenham in September 2020 in connection with the investigation.

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