A paramedic who secretly administered abortion drugs to a woman during sex has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison. Stephen Doohan tricked his victim into terminating her pregnancy without her knowledge or consent.
The 33-year-old was married when he met the woman on holiday in Spain in 2021 and began a long-distance relationship. In March 2023, she travelled to Edinburgh to see him after learning she was pregnant.
Drug inserted during intercourse
On 17th March, Doohan inserted an abortion drug into her vagina without her knowledge during what she believed was consensual sex. The following day, he insisted on examining her underwear after she noticed white discharge.
Glasgow High Court heard that Doohan had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault and depositing a drug into her vagina causing her to abort. He also admitted depositing the substance with intent to cause her to abort.
Investigation reveals premeditation
The court heard that Doohan convinced the woman to lie to medics at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary because he feared arrest if she told the truth. She later attended another regional hospital with her sister and was told she was having a miscarriage.
In May 2023, the woman complained to the Scottish Ambulance Service, which launched an investigation. Police discovered that on 14th March, the day the woman told Doohan she was pregnant, he had used a work intranet to search for abortion drugs.
Victim discovers hidden tablets
The judge revealed new details about how the woman uncovered Doohan's deception. Lord Colbeck said the victim "felt something hard being inserted into her vagina and believed this was a sex toy" during the first assault.
When she returned to Doohan's flat the following day suffering stomach cramps, she became suspicious of his actions. "When you went to the bathroom, she took the opportunity to look under the mattress," the judge told Doohan.
Judge condemns calculated betrayal
The woman found tablets hidden under the mattress and carried out an internet search for abortion drugs before confronting Doohan. Lord Colbeck said Doohan had "rehearsed what she was to say" before they attended hospital together.
Sentencing at Glasgow High Court on Monday, judge Lord Colbeck said Doohan had put his victim "through considerable pain over a number of days, and left her facing a lifetime of pain and loss". He also said Doohan had caused "long-term psychological injury" to the woman.
Defence cites remorse and PTSD
Defending, Mark Stewart KC expressed "Mr Doohan's deep sorrow and regret for the actions he is now in the court charged with". The court heard that Doohan is "filled with remorse for the harm he has caused, and the breach of trust his actions represented".
The court was told that Doohan has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and had no previous convictions. Mr Stewart described Doohan's life as "positive and useful" before these crimes occurred over 48 hours in March 2023.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
