A JUDICIAL review into the circumstances surrounding an alleged illegal abortion has been stopped to allow a police investigation to be completed without risk of prejudice.
West Mercia Constabulary's application to stop the review was not heard at the High Court on Friday after all parties agreed to the decision beforehand.
The furore concerns an abortion at six months which was carried out in Herefordshire in December 2001, because it is believed the mother-to-be did not want a baby with a cleft palate.
Twenty-seven-year-old Chester curate Rev Joanna Jepson - who herself had corrective surgery for a congenital jaw abnormality - brought the case against West Mercia Constabulary because she claimed the abortion was illegal.
Acting Det Chief Supt Ray Groves was appointed to conduct the renewed investigation, which is expected to be completed by July.
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