A woman whose former boyfriend took out a high court injunction in a bid to prevent her from having an abortion has had her pregnancy terminated, it emerged yesterday.

Stephen Hone, a 24-year-old sales consultant from Coventry, had tried to stop 31-year-old Claire Hansell from ending the pregnancy as he was opposed to abortion.

Mr Hone, who has two children from a previous relationship, stated he would seek access to the unborn baby's remains so he could arrange a burial or take responsibility for the new baby if the birth went to term.

But solicitors for Ms Hansell today said she had already undergone the procedure.

Sara Leslie, of law firm Irwin Mitchell, said in a statement: "Ms Hansell has undergone a lawful abortion.

"I consider Mr Hone's application to deliver up the foetus to be macabre.

"The unfortunate circumstances faced by Ms Hansell are being cynically exploited by the anti-abortionist lobby to generate media interest for the forthcoming general election."

Mr Hone's lawyers last week argued that the abortion planned for one clinic was unlawful because only one doctor was consulted, instead of two.

But family division judge Mr Justice Sumner said the clinic had given a "highly responsible and helpful" undertaking that, if Ms Hansell continued to seek an abortion at the clinic, it would not rely on the certificate signed by the doctor originally seen by her.

Following the hearing, Mr Hone said the agreement was a partial victory.
Press Association