U.K. doc tried to poison girlfriend to make her abort his baby

A doctor has been convicted in a bizarre attempt to poison his girlfriend so she would abort his child. He made two attempts to spike her drinks but she proved to be smarter.

LONDON, England - In a bizarre plot, a medical doctor attempted to poison his girlfriend in a bid to abort his own child after she told him she was pregnant. Metropolitan Police said Dr. Edward Erin, 44, of Gratton Road, Kensington, spiked his girlfriend's coffee with two poisonous chemicals but she began wondering about the white powder in her cup. Erin was convicted on Monday for attempting to administer a poison with intent procure a miscarriage, contrary to section 1 (1) Criminal Attempts Act 1977 on 7 and 8 February 2008, London Metropolitan Police said in a news release. Erin, a married father of two, was found guilty at the Old Bailey after the jury heard how he tried to cause his girlfriend to miscarry their child after she refused to have an abortion, police said. "Police were contacted by Bella Prowse, Erin's 32-year-old girlfriend on February 8, 2008 after she became concerned about a mysterious powder that she found in two drinks that Erin had given to her, after she informed him that she was pregnant with his child," the cops said. A day earlier, the couple had met at a Starbucks coffee shop in Paddington Railway station where Erin had already purchased drinks having phoned previously to ask what Bella would like, police said. "It was immediately apparent that the lid had been removed and replaced, so when she got the opportunity, Bella transferred the contents into a bottle. The contents of the coffee were examined and found to include Diclofenac and Methotrexate," police added. Erin's next attempt on Friday 8 February 2008 occurred at their place of work when he offered Bella a bottle of orange juice. Noticing that the seal had already been broken and that the liquid contained a powdery substance, Bella chose not to drink the juice. Traces of Diclofenac were found in the liquid, the police statement said. "Later that day Bella attended Streatham police station with a cup and liquids that she had preserved and reported her suspicions to officers," said police about the suspicious girlfriend. A search of Erin's residential address led to the discovery of the medication including traces on a pestle and mortar. A further search of Erin's office resulted in the seizure of numerous tablets and powdered substances. "Edward Erin is a consultant physician, pharmacologist and honorary senior lecturer. He has been a medical professional for over 20 years, yet having failed to persuade his girlfriend, Bella Prowse, to have an abortion, he has abused his profession and position of trust, used his medical knowledge to try and bring on a miscarriage," said Detective Chief Inspector Mickey Gallagher. "This was not a morality trial, but the nature of this case in unusual in that it is only the second of it type to be brought before the courts in the last 40 years. Erin has been judged on evidence and the jury have applied good sense and fairness. I would like to state that this prosecution has been brought on behalf of Bella Prowse and my thoughts are with her at this time," said Gallagher "Thankfully, Erin failed in his attempts and Bella has a healthy child." "I am especially grateful for the support of my friends, family and daughter during this very difficult time," said Prowse. Erin is due to be sentenced on November 15. - Source London Metropolitan Police press release.