Natalie Towers was jailed for taking pills so that she miscarried North News & Pictures Ltd
A MUM who performed a DIY abortion using pills bought over the internet was jailed yesterday.
Natalie Towers, 24, took medication to induce a miscarriage when she was between 32 and 34 weeks' pregnant.
She then called paramedics who rushed to the house and were horrified to find the dead baby down the toilet.
Towers admitted administering poison with intent to procure a miscarriage and collapsed in the dock at Newcastle crown court as she was jailed for two-and-a-half-years.
Mr Justice Jay told her: "Despite attempts made by the paramedics and hospital, the child could not be saved.
"Both paramedics were obviously distressed by what they saw.
"I am satisfied the baby was already dead when delivered or placed in the toilet.
"This case has nothing to do with the general immorality or otherwise of termination of unborn foetuses.
"The law is clear. You must have been aware, in line with your internet searches, it was open to you to seek termination at any stage before 24 weeks.
"At 24 weeks there is a fair chance of survival if born premature.
"Your child, at 32-34 weeks had a very good chance of survival but had no chance once you administered this drug.
"This offence does involve extinguishing life about to begin." Towers, a former vet's receptionist, has a child from an earlier pregnancy which she also concealed.
Her partner had no idea she was expecting. She was alone in their house in Shildon, County Durham, when she called 999 last November to report she was miscarrying.
Prosecutor Sarah Mallett said when paramedics arrived at the house Towers told them: "It's dead, I know it's dead." They then saw the dead baby boy - later named Luke - in the toilet.
Miss Mallett said: "The paramedic was very shocked. What she saw there was a baby, head first in the toilet.
"She took such steps as she could to help the baby. She said he felt warm, pale, not blue.
"He was small but fully formed. She checked for signs of life but there was none found." The court heard tests revealed Towers had taken a "massive dose" of misoprostol, a drug used to induce labour.
She at first denied knowing she was pregnant but later confessed she thought she was but "could not deal with the stress".
A check of her computer revealed searches for "abortion pills".
Daniel Cordey, mitigating, said: "She is remorseful, she greatly regrets her actions." The court heard Towers has a history of emotional and psychological problems.
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