Elliot Benham Bio – Elliot Benham Wiki
A man and a woman accused of illegally aborting a baby and disposing of its body have been released on bail ahead of trial at Gloucester Crown Court next month.
AGE:
Elliot Benham is 23 years old.
DETAIL OF INCIDENCE:
Elliot Benham and Sophie Harvey, 23, are both accused of procuring poison to cause a miscarriage, concealing the birth of a child, and intending to pervert the course of justice by disposing of the baby’s body.
Harvey has also been charged with causing her own miscarriage by poison or the use of an instrument.
During a brief hearing at Gloucestershire Magistrates’ Court in Cheltenham on Thursday, the defendants spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth.
They did not enter pleas to any of the charges they face. They hid their faces as they exited court on Thursday.
Sue Gethin, prosecuting, asked for the case to be transferred to Gloucester Crown Court due to the serious nature of the offenses.
Paul Gilmartin, defending, told the court: ‘Both deny any unlawful acts. That’s all I can say at this stage.’
Gloucestershire Police searched locations in Swindon, Wiltshire, and Cirencester, Gloucestershire, as part of the investigation in September 2020.
Both Benham and Harvey were released on conditional bail and told to appear at Gloucester Crown Court on February 3.
District Judge Nicholas Wattam said: ‘This case is serious and has to go to the crown court for trial.
‘The next court date will be February 3. You must attend. I am going to release you on conditional bail.’
Abortions are legal in England up to 24 weeks gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner, and can be carried out beyond 24 weeks in very limited circumstances such as danger to the mother’s life.
It is alleged that in this case, the pregnancy was past 24 weeks and was not carried out by a medical practitioner.
Someone causing their own abortion was criminalized under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.