A couple have been accused of causing a miscarriage with poison, concealing a baby's birth and disposing of the body.

Elliot Benham and Sophie Harvey, both 23, allegedly perverted the course of justice.

The couple were charged with procuring a poison/noxious thing to cause a miscarriage, concealment of the birth of a child and committing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice contrary to common law, namely disposing of the body of a baby.

Harvey was also charged with "procuring her own miscarriage by poison/use of instrument", reports Wiltshire Live.

It is alleged the offences took place between September 1, 2018 and December 1, 2018.

It is believed the offences took place between September 1, 2018 and December 1, 2018 (
Image:
Daniel Jae Webb / SWNS)

The couple were released on bail and will attend Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on January 5.

The investigation was taken up by Gloucestershire Police's Major Crime Investigation Team which saw searches take place in Cirencester and Swindon in September 2020.

The charges were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service following the investigation two years later.

Two people have been charged with forcibly triggering a miscarriage and disposing of the body of a baby following property searches in 2020 (
Image:
Daniel Jae Webb / SWNS)

The 'Offences Against the Person Act 1861' states it is a criminal offence to try to cause your own abortion.

It is alleged in this case that the pregnancy was past 24 weeks and was not carried out by a registered medical practitioner, reports Wales Online.

In England, abortions are legal up to 24 weeks’ gestation if carried out by a registered medical practitioner, and can be carried out after 24 weeks in very limited circumstances.