THE JURY in the trial of a teenager accused of arranging her own illegal abortion has been discharged for legal reasons.

Sophie Harvey, 25, was on trial at Gloucester Crown Court accused of procuring a poison, procuring her own miscarriage by poison and attempting to pervert the course of public justice.

Her boyfriend Elliot Benham, 25, was also on trial accused of attempting to pervert the course of public justice. He has “acknowledged” his part in procuring the tablets.

Both defendants have pleaded guilty to concealing the birth of a child.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC, the Recorder of Gloucester, told the panel they were being discharged from any further consideration of the case.

“I am going to be discharging you and I do that with a heavy heart,” the judge said.

“I have made a decision to discharge you. It is a position that is unavoidable.

“I am sorry things like this do happen.”

During the trial the jury was told the charges related to events in the summer of 2018 when the defendants were aged 19.

Prosecutors alleged Harvey took a drug they purchased to end the pregnancy after learning she was over the 24-week gestation period for a legal abortion in England.

Harvey told the jury she had not taken the tablet and the infant was stillborn when she delivered naturally.

She wrapped the infant’s body in a towel and placed it in a bin at her home in Gloucestershire, the court heard.

Harvey, of St Mary’s Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire and Benham, of Wingfield, Swindon, Wiltshire were released on bail.

A further mention hearing was fixed for June 14 and the defendants were excused attendance.