A married British doctor has been accused of spiking his pregnant mistress's drinks in a bid to induce a miscarriage.
Edward Erin, a 44-year-old hospital consultant from West London, allegedly crumbled drugs into his secretary's tea after she refused to have an abortion, UK media report.
Bella Prowse, 33, told a court she found yellow powder in a cup of tea Dr Erin had made her.
The couple began their affair after an office Christmas party in 2007 and Miss Prowse fell pregnant one month later.
Miss Prowse told the court Dr Erin became agitated when she broke the news and begged her to have an abortion.
"He said we could not have a baby .... he was not ready to have a baby," the BBC quoted Miss Prowse as telling the court.
"He was begging me and crying."
Miss Prowse said she initially agreed to have an abortion but later changed her mind and cancelled two appointments.
The father-of-two, who is involved in pioneering research into nasal allergies, has denied trying to feed his lover poison.
But Miss Prowse said the doctor tried to spike her drink on three occasions.
After finding the yellow powder in the cup of tea, Miss Prowse said she became suspicious and took the residue to police.
Tests on the tea and also a cup of coffee and an orange juice Dr Erin bought her showed them to be laced with a miscarriage-inducing drug.
Dr Erin was arrested and charged after they found tablets of the drug in his coat pockets.
Traces of the drug were also found in a mortar and pestle at his home.
Miss Prowse went on to have a healthy baby.
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