A mum has denied attempting to procure her own miscarriage.

The Oxford woman, 25, is said by prosecutors to have used the labour-inducing medication when she was 31 weeks pregnant in January last year.

Doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital allegedly discovered two tablets in her body after the baby, who survived, was delivered by emergency caesarean section.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Friday morning, the Portuguese national, who we are not naming, pleaded not guilty to administering a poison with intent to procure a miscarriage.

The offence dates back to 1861, when it was introduced by law-makers in an effort to tackle backstreet ‘abortion clinics’ in Victorian England.

Judge Ian Pringle QC granted the defendant unconditional bail to return to court on February 6 next year for the trial.

Matthew Walsh appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service. Julian Lynch represented the defendant.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward