Doctor 'poisoned pregnant lover'

Edward Erin denies procuring and unlawfully administering poison

A medical secretary has told a court her doctor lover spiked her tea to make her have a miscarriage.

Bella Prowse said she became pregnant during an affair with her boss, married consultant Dr Edward Erin, 44, but refused to have an abortion.

Miss Prowse, 33, said she found yellow powder after Dr Erin made her a cup of Earl Grey in January 2008.

Dr Erin, of Kensington, west London, denies administering poison to cause a miscarriage and other poison charges.

The Old Bailey was told Dr Erin made two more attempts in February 2008 to poison Miss Prowse - once with a substance in her coffee and then in orange juice.

However she became suspicious of her boss and did not take any more of the drinks.

He said we could not have a baby. He was not ready to have a baby Bella Prowse

Police later found miscarriage-inducing drugs in the cup and beverages, the court heard.

Miss Prowse went on to have a healthy baby.

Dr Erin has pleaded not guilty to procuring poison to be used with the intention of causing a miscarriage between 21 January and 8 February, 2008, administering poison to procure a miscarriage, and two charges of attempting to administer poison.

He worked for St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, as consultant in the chest and allergy clinic, where Miss Prowse was his secretary.

'Begging me'

She said they began an affair after the office Christmas party in December 2007.

But by 21 January last year she found out she was pregnant.

Dr Erin tried to persuade her to have an abortion, but she cancelled two appointments.

Miss Prowse told the court: "He said we could not have a baby. He was not ready to have a baby."

She added: "He was begging me and crying."

Sean Larkin, prosecuting, alleged that Dr Erin's wife, Lowri, had seen him grinding up pills in the kitchen of their home.

"He told her it was an experiment for work," said Mr Larkin.

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.