A WOMAN in Northern Ireland has been charged with breaking an abortion ban and faces possible life imprisonment.
The woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons – appeared in court, accused of helping her daughter to have an abortion.
The Independent reports that she is accused of “supplying poison with the intent of procuring a miscarriage.”
It is understood that the case has been adjourned until May 18.
Earlier this month, a 21-year-old Belfast woman was given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to having an abortion in the city.
She told the court that she bought drugs on the internet to induce the miscarriage, as she could not afford to travel to England for a termination.
After purchasing the drugs she consumed them, causing her to miscarry on July 12, 2014.
The 10-12 week old male foetus was later found in the bin of a house she shared with two other people, according to The Belfast Telegraph.
The young woman pleaded guilty to two charges – procuring her own abortion by using a poison and of supplying a poison with intent to procure a miscarriage – at Belfast Crown Court on Monday, April 4.
Judge David McFarland gave the woman a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, anyone carrying out an abortion in Northern Ireland, except under limited circumstances, can be jailed for life.
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