Sex assault victim given abortion drugs, jury told

A pregnant woman was allegedly sexually assaulted and suffered a miscarriage after being given abortion drugs, a trial has heard.

The victim, who cannot be named, was given mifepristone and misoprostol, and lost her baby at 15 weeks gestation at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in the summer of 2022, Norwich Crown Court was told.

Stuart Worby, 39, of Malthouse Court, Dereham, denies two counts of sexual assault and a charge of administering a poison or using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage.

Wayne Finney, 41, of Station Street, Swaffham, has denied intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of the offence, by supplying the medication.

The court was read a WhatsApp exchange between Mr Worby and Mr Finney on the day of the miscarriage in which Mr Worby wrote: “It’s working. She’s bleeding”.

The woman contacted police after seeing the message on Mr Worby’s phone.

Prosecuting, Edmund Vickers KC, said the woman was administered mifepristone and misoprostol under the guise of “kinky sex”.

The jury heard the drugs are prescribed to bring about medical abortions in early pregnancy, before 10 weeks.

The trial, being heard by High Court judge Joel Bennathan, continues and is expected to last three weeks.

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