A man has appeared in court in connection with an alleged assault on a woman in Gillingham.

Dorset Police received a report at 12.05am on Saturday, May 30, last year, that a woman had been found with a head injury in the Addison Close area. The victim, who was 29 weeks pregnant at the time, was taken to hospital for treatment for injuries sustained and her baby had died in the womb.

Enquiries led to a 34-year-old local man who was arrested. He was issued with a postal requisition to appear at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 26, for offences of child destruction and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He is next due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, March 12.