PARAMEDIC JAILED FOR SECRETLY ABORTING WOMAN’S PREGNANCY IN SHOCKING BETRAYAL

Sentencing update 07/07/2025

Paramedic Jailed for Secretly Aborting Woman’s Pregnancy in Shocking Betrayal

Edinburgh, Scotland — A respected paramedic and former TV documentary star has been jailed for more than a decade after covertly injecting a woman with abortion drugs, leading to the death of their unborn child in a calculated and devastating betrayal.

Stephen Doohan, 33, a clinical team leader with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), was sentenced to 10 years and six months after pleading guilty to assault, sexual assault, and causing a woman to miscarry without her knowledge or consent.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Doohan crushed abortion pills and administered them to the unsuspecting woman via syringe as she lay in bed at his Edinburgh home in 2023. The woman, who believed she was in a consensual relationship with Doohan, had no idea he was married at the time they met during a trip to Spain in 2021.

Planned Deception and Heinous Act

Judge Lord Colbeck condemned Doohan’s actions as “almost as serious as any this court is ever asked to sentence,” describing how the paramedic "researched, planned, and executed" the deception using medical knowledge and resources gained through his role.

"You manipulated the woman and executed your plan under the guise of consensual sexual activity," the judge said, adding that the victim’s statement “radiates with raw pain.”

A Secret Unveiled

The horrifying ordeal unfolded shortly after the woman learned she was pregnant in March 2023. A few days later, she visited Doohan’s home in the Grange area, unaware that he was preparing to end her pregnancy against her will.

She experienced severe stomach cramps the next day and was later given diazepam by Doohan — only to wake up and find him initiating sexual activity while she was still under the drug’s effects.

Suspicious and frightened, she later discovered crushed pills and a syringe hidden under his mattress. Online searches confirmed her worst fears: they were abortion-inducing drugs.

Despite his initial denials, Doohan eventually admitted he had administered the pills, claiming he was “scared” and falsely stating they wouldn’t work due to an incorrect dose.

Cover-Up and Collapse

In a disturbing attempt to silence her, Doohan gave the woman perfume and football tickets, pleading with her not to tell hospital staff the truth. But after she collapsed in the shower and required emergency care, she refused to allow him into the examination room.

A miscarriage was later confirmed. The woman bravely reported him to the ambulance service, who quickly alerted police. Doohan was arrested shortly after.

‘A Fundamental Breach of Trust’

Fiona Kirkby, Scotland’s procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, called it a “calculated and heinous” act that robbed the woman of her future.

"This was a fundamental breach of trust. I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to anyone who seeks to inflict sexual harm upon women," she said.

Doohan, once featured in BBC’s Paramedics on Scene, has since been fired from the SAS. The organisation expressed deep horror at the case, praising the victim’s courage and offering continued support.

A Legacy of Trauma

Prosecutors said the woman remains significantly affected by her ordeal, both physically and emotionally. Lord Colbeck also imposed a lifetime non-harassment order against Doohan.

Mark Stewart KC, defending, said Doohan was "deeply sorry" and had been experiencing personal difficulties, though the court made clear this did not excuse his crimes.

Justice and Outrage

Public outrage has grown following the sentencing, with many demanding stricter safeguards against the misuse of medical knowledge and access.

“This is more than a criminal act — it’s a violation of trust, autonomy, and life itself,” said one women's rights advocate. “The justice system has rightly taken it seriously. Now we need to ensure this never happens again.”

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community in Edinburgh, Stephen Doohan, a 33-year-old who held the position of Clinical Team Leader with the Scottish Ambulance Service, has been implicated in a serious criminal matter involving the administration of an abortion drug. The incident took place in his upscale residence located in the prestigious Grange area of Edinburgh during 2023.

According to reports, the woman involved was pregnant with Doohan's child. She discovered her pregnancy in March 2023 and, in a troubling turn of events, was secretly given crushed pills by Doohan while she was lying on a bed inside his home. The situation escalated as he continued to administer the drug over subsequent days, which led to severe health complications for the woman. She experienced fainting spells and intense pain, prompting her to seek medical attention at local hospitals. Ultimately, her condition resulted in a miscarriage.

Further investigations revealed that Doohan had not only administered the pills but also attempted to conceal his actions. He urged the woman not to report the incident, offering her gifts in an effort to keep her silent. Evidence also showed that he had researched abortion tablets online, specifically misoprostol, which is used for managing miscarriages or inducing abortions. The woman managed to record a conversation in which Doohan confessed to inserting the syringe and confirmed that he had been researching the drug.

Following her decision to report the matter to authorities, Doohan was swiftly arrested. During police interviews, he initially denied the allegations but later admitted guilt to charges including assault, sexual assault, and causing a woman to have an abortion. His court appearance was marked by a guilty plea, and the judge warned him that he faces a lengthy prison sentence. As part of his sentencing, Doohan was placed on the sex offenders register. It was also revealed that he had checked for medical information about misoprostol on the very day the woman disclosed her pregnancy, indicating premeditation.

At his sentencing hearing, Doohan’s legal representative expressed remorse, stating he was 'deeply sorry' and that he was experiencing mental health issues at the time of the offenses. Despite this, the judge emphasized the seriousness of his actions, making it clear that a significant custodial sentence was inevitable. Currently residing in Kirkliston near Edinburgh, Doohan’s case has raised serious questions about professional conduct and the safety of women in the community.