Doctor guilty of poisoning pregnant lover
Dr Edward Erin guilty of two counts of trying to poison his lover
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Monday, 19, Oct 2009 04:27
By Richard James.
A doctor has been found guilty of poisoning his pregnant mistress in an attempt to cause an abortion.
A jury at the Old Bailey found Dr Edward Erin guilty of two counts of trying to poison Bella Prose, 33.
The court heard how Ms Prose became pregnant while the pair were seeing each other but refused to agree to an abortion.
The 44-year-old doctor, who worked at St Mary's hospital in Paddington, west London, had denied attempting to administer poison to procure a miscarriage.
On Monday though he was convicted of two charges: Attempting to administer poison with intent procure a miscarriage, contrary to section 1 (1) Criminal Attempts Act 1977 on February 7th and February 8th 2008.
Police were initially contacted on February 8th when Ms Prose became concerned about a mysterious powder that she found in two drinks that Erin had given to her, after she informed him that she was pregnant with his child.
A statement from the Metropolitan police said the couple had met in a coffee shop at Paddington railway station where Erin had already purchased drinks having phoned previously to ask what Ms Prose would like.
The police said Ms Prose noticed the lid on the drink had been removed and replaced, so when she got the opportunity, the 33-year-old transferred the contents into a bottle.
The contents of the coffee were later examined and found to include chemicals Diclofenac and Methotrexate.
The following day Erin offered Ms Prose a bottle of orange juice. Again she noticed the seal had been broken and the liquid contained a powdery substance.
Traces of Diclofenac were again found in the liquid.
Police describe Methotrexate as a prescribed drug to treat various conditions including severe psoriasis and arthritis. It can cause abortion and foetal death. If taken with anti-inflammatory drugs it becomes more toxic and can lead to death.
Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory prescribed for conditions such as arthritis. Misoprostol is used to induce medical abortion, although this is not a licensed use of the drug in the UK.
After contacting police with the liquids and forensic tests, Erin was arrested and following a search of his residential address led to the discovery of medication including traces on a pestle and mortar.
Ms Prose gave birth to a healthy baby last September.
Following the jury's decision, Detective Chief Inspector Mickey Gallagher, from the Met, said: "Edward Erin is a consultant physician, pharmacologist and honorary senior lecturer.
"He has been a medical professional for over 20 years, yet having failed to persuade his girlfriend, Bella Prowse, to have an abortion, he has abused his profession and position of trust, used his medical knowledge to try and bring on a miscarriage.
"This was not a morality trial, but the nature of this case in unusual in that it is only the second of it type to be brought before the courts in the last 40 years. Erin has been judged on evidence and the jury have applied good sense and fairness. I would like to state that this prosecution has been brought on behalf of Bella Prowse and my thoughts are with her at this time.
"Thankfully, Erin failed in his attempts and Bella has a healthy child."
Erin will now be sentenced on November 15th.