Friend denies assisting abortion plan

Wayne Finney told the court he had researched abortion medication online for his friend but had not known of a plan to give them to the woman

A man accused of helping his friend get medication to cause a medical abortion has denied having a role in the plan.

Wayne Finney, 41, of Station Street, Swaffham, Norfolk told the jury he had helped to research the medication but did not encourage his girlfriend to get the tablets for co-defendant Stuart Worby.

Mr Worby, 40, of Malthouse Court, Dereham, Norfolk denies two counts of sexual assault and of administering a poison or using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage.

Mr Finney denies intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of the alleged offence.

Stuart Worby admits getting the tablets but says he never gave them to the woman

His defence barrister Nicholas Maggs asked Mr Finney if he had helped Mr Worby get the drugs.

Mr Finney said: "Emotionally I was willing to listen to him."

Mr Maggs said: "Willing to help him get abortive medicines?"

Mr Finney replied: "No".

Mr Finney told the jury he was angry Mr Worby had gone to his girlfriend's house to ask her to call a clinic to purchase medication that causes a miscarriage in early pregnancy.

'We all make mistakes'

The jury has been told Mr Finney’s girlfriend, Neuza Cepeda, 39, of Walnut Drive, Dereham, has admitted supplying or procuring an instrument to be used with the intent to procure a miscarriage in connection with the case, and would be sentenced at a later date.

Under cross-examination, it was put to Mr Finney he had acted as a go-between for Mr Worby and Miss Cepeda.

The jury was shown a text message Mr Finney sent to Mr Worby, which said: "They are sending pills today".

Mr Worby ended the exchange by saying: "Thanks for being there for me, mate".

Mr Finney was asked what he meant by his message.

"This is the stupidest message I’ve ever sent. But we all make mistakes," he responded.

The jury has already heard the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, lost the pregnancy at 15 weeks at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in 2022.

The 11-person jury was told that Mr Worby admitted to acquiring the two drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, which are commonly used together to induce a miscarriage in early pregnancy.

But he denies administering them to the woman.

Toxicology reports found traces of mifepristone in her blood and foetal tissue.

Both men deny the charges against them.

The trial continues.