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Poison abortion bid doctor jailed | Poison abortion bid doctor jailed |
(10 minutes later) | |
A doctor who attempted to poison his lover in a bid to induce a miscarriage has been jailed for six years. | A doctor who attempted to poison his lover in a bid to induce a miscarriage has been jailed for six years. |
Edward Erin, 44, of west London, spiked 33-year-old Bella Prowse's drinks after she became pregnant but refused to have a termination, the Old Bailey heard. | Edward Erin, 44, of west London, spiked 33-year-old Bella Prowse's drinks after she became pregnant but refused to have a termination, the Old Bailey heard. |
Miss Prowse, a secretary at the hospital where Erin worked, noticed her coffee and juice had been tampered with, and drug traces were later found. | Miss Prowse, a secretary at the hospital where Erin worked, noticed her coffee and juice had been tampered with, and drug traces were later found. |
Erin was found guilty of two charges of attempting to administer poison. | Erin was found guilty of two charges of attempting to administer poison. |
'On the prowl' | 'On the prowl' |
Sentencing the married father-of-two, who is originally from Caerphilly in South Wales, Judge Richard Hone called Erin "a liar, a cheat and a predator". | Sentencing the married father-of-two, who is originally from Caerphilly in South Wales, Judge Richard Hone called Erin "a liar, a cheat and a predator". |
He said the doctor, who worked at St Mary's Hospital, led a fantasy life and had "betrayed his profession and his family". | He said the doctor, who worked at St Mary's Hospital, led a fantasy life and had "betrayed his profession and his family". |
He added that Erin's wife "deserves somebody better than you who goes on the prowl". | He added that Erin's wife "deserves somebody better than you who goes on the prowl". |
Dr Lowri Erin had defended her husband during the trial and said that she was aware of his affairs. | Dr Lowri Erin had defended her husband during the trial and said that she was aware of his affairs. |
Bella Prowse thanked friends and family for their support | Bella Prowse thanked friends and family for their support |
Judge Hone jailed Erin for six years on each count, to be served concurrently. Miss Prowse was present in court for the sentencing. | |
Clare Montgomery QC, defending, said that Erin's life had been threatened while he was being held in Belmarsh prison. She said he was a man who now felt "his life was over". | |
Miss Montgomery said: "His first night was spent with other prisoners screaming threats on his life." | |
The court heard Erin began an affair with Miss Prowse at an office Christmas party in December 2007. | The court heard Erin began an affair with Miss Prowse at an office Christmas party in December 2007. |
A month later, she found she was pregnant. | A month later, she found she was pregnant. |
The trial heard Erin put ground tablets into a cup of coffee he bought for Miss Prowse and a day after spiking her coffee he tried the same with a bottle of orange juice. | |
Miss Prowse became suspicious when she saw the cup of coffee had been opened and the next day saw the seal of the juice bottle was broken. | |
Ed has done this evil, horrible thing to me but Ernie has nothing to do with him Bella Prowse | |
She took both drinks to the police. Tests showed traces of abortion-inducing drugs in both her body and a cup given to her by Erin. | |
Despite the poisoning attempt, Miss Prowse gave birth to a healthy baby, Ernie, in September 2008. | Despite the poisoning attempt, Miss Prowse gave birth to a healthy baby, Ernie, in September 2008. |
Following the verdict in October, hospital secretary Miss Prowse said: "Ed has done this evil, horrible thing to me but Ernie has nothing to do with him. | Following the verdict in October, hospital secretary Miss Prowse said: "Ed has done this evil, horrible thing to me but Ernie has nothing to do with him. |
"In my mind, they're completely separate." | "In my mind, they're completely separate." |
Erin was found not guilty on another charge of spiking a cup of tea as the jury could not reach a decision. | Erin was found not guilty on another charge of spiking a cup of tea as the jury could not reach a decision. |
The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to seek a retrial on that charge. | The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to seek a retrial on that charge. |