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| Poison abortion bid doctor jailed | Poison abortion bid doctor jailed |
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| 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. |
| 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". | |
| She is now steeling herself for the day when she has to tell her son the truth about the father Det Ch Insp Michael Gallagher | She is now steeling herself for the day when she has to tell her son the truth about the father Det Ch Insp Michael Gallagher |
| He said the doctor, who worked at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, led a fantasy life and had "betrayed his profession and his family". | |
| Judge Hone said: "The three affairs which formed part of your evidence at trial illustrate how you exploited your senior position as a consultant respiratory physician to lure women into sexual relations. | Judge Hone said: "The three affairs which formed part of your evidence at trial illustrate how you exploited your senior position as a consultant respiratory physician to lure women into sexual relations. |
| "You intended an invasion of her (Miss Prowse) body, the thinking man's equivalent of an act of violence. | "You intended an invasion of her (Miss Prowse) body, the thinking man's equivalent of an act of violence. |
| "The fact that no harm has yet resulted to the child is no thanks to you." | "The fact that no harm has yet resulted to the child is no thanks to you." |
| On Erin's wife he added: "If she continues to support you, as she says she will, you may think she deserves better than a husband who goes out on the prowl." | On Erin's wife he added: "If she continues to support you, as she says she will, you may think she deserves better than a husband who goes out 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. |
| Judge Hone jailed Erin for six years on each count, to be served concurrently. Miss Prowse was present in court for the sentencing. | Judge Hone jailed Erin for six years on each count, to be served concurrently. Miss Prowse was present in court for the sentencing. |
| Bella Prowse thanked friends and family for their support | Bella Prowse thanked friends and family for their support |
| Reading out a statement from Miss Prowse Det Ch Insp Michael Gallagher said: "It's been a shock ordeal for her. She felt she was close to a nervous breakdown on several occasions and in extreme distress. | Reading out a statement from Miss Prowse Det Ch Insp Michael Gallagher said: "It's been a shock ordeal for her. She felt she was close to a nervous breakdown on several occasions and in extreme distress. |
| "She is now steeling herself for the day when she has to tell her son the truth about the father." | "She is now steeling herself for the day when she has to tell her son the truth about the father." |
| 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". | 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." | 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. |
| Baby boy | Baby boy |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |