Woman charged with using an instrument to procure a miscarriage
June 2005
Recent releases at The National Archives
On 18 November 1930, Beatrice Tomkins, aged 45, was charged with using an instrument with intent to procure the miscarriage of Emma "Midge" Murell, aged 25. The father of the unborn child, Charles Cann, aged 26, was married and arranged, through associates, for Murrell to visit Tomkins. The case against Tomkins was heard at the Central Criminal Court where the judge Mr. Justice McCardie, directed the jury to return a verdict of "not guilty" because the police did not inform the witnesses that their evidence could be used against them.
