R v Ahmed

Subject Matter

CRIME — Abortion — Procuring “thing” with intent to procure miscarriage — Defendant attempting to deceive medical staff into carrying out abortion on his wife — Wife speaking no English and unaware that abortion to be performed — Defendant convicted of procuring miscarriage — Whether offence known to law — Whether surgical procedure of abortion “thing” — Whether “procuring” of thing including bringing about of taking possession of thing by other person — Whether defendant's deception necessarily preventing doctors forming relevant opinion in good faith — Whether offence of procuring thing with intent to procure miscarriage made out — Offences against the Person Act 1861, s 59 — Abortion Act 1967, s 1(1)(4) (as amended by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, s 37(1))

[2011] QB 512; [2011] 2 WLR 197

Commentary

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Supplying or Procuring the Physical Means for Abortion - Elements B1.140