…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Carla Foster, a mother who was imprisoned for illegally obtaining abortion tablets to terminate her pregnancy during lockdown, will be released from prison after her sentence was reduced by the Court of Appeal.
Foster had originally received a 28-month extended sentence but it has now been reduced to 14 months’ suspended.
Appeal Court Calls for Compassion in Sad Abortion Case
The Court of Appeal, including Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Holroyde, and Mrs. Justice Lambert, stated that Foster’s case called for compassion rather than punishment.
They expressed that no useful purpose would be served by detaining Foster in custody, emphasizing the sadness surrounding the case.
Background on Foster’s Illegal Procurement of Abortion Pills
Foster, a 45-year-old mother of three, admitted to procuring her own abortion by obtaining drugs from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) during the 2020 lockdown.
She had misled the service about the stage of her pregnancy.
Initially charged with child destruction, Foster later pleaded guilty to administering drugs or using instruments to procure abortion.
Current Abortion Laws in the UK
Abortion in the UK remains a criminal act if performed without the approval of two doctors.
A woman who undergoes an abortion without the permission of two doctors can face criminal punishment, including the possibility of life imprisonment.
Abortions are generally allowed up to 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions made in cases where the woman’s life is at risk or if the child would have severe disabilities.
Evolution of Abortion Laws in the UK and Ireland
The Abortion Act of 1967 legalized abortion under certain grounds in England, Wales, and Scotland, while Ireland legalized abortion up to 12 weeks gestation in 2018.
Abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland in 2019, and new regulations for abortion services came into force in March 2020.
Changes in Abortion Pill Regulations
In recent years, regulations have evolved regarding abortion pills in the UK.
In 2018, women in England and Wales were permitted to take the second abortion pill, misoprostol, at home.
Scotland allowed this practice in October 2017.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, women were temporarily allowed to take both abortion medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, at home.
In February 2022, the government decided to end this arrangement, but an amendment extended at-home abortion permanently from August 30, 2022.
Statistics and Discussions on Abortion in the UK
In 2021, England and Wales recorded the highest number of abortions since the introduction of the Abortion Act, with 214,256 procedures.
The vast majority, 99%, were funded by the NHS.
Medical-induced abortions accounted for 87% of procedures in 2021, surpassing surgical methods.
Debate on Buffer Zones Around Abortion Clinics
There have been calls from medical leaders to establish buffer zones around abortion clinics to protect patients and staff from anti-abortion campaigners.
The introduction of legally protected spaces aims to prevent harassment and disturbances.
The UK government is reviewing the issue in England and Wales, while the Scottish government is actively considering legislative action.
Read More On The Topic On TDPel Media
