A 28-year-old man who forced his former girlfriend to take five abortion pills and then locked her in a room, causing the unlawful termination of her nine-week-old pregnancy, has been sentenced to nine years in prison in Co Donegal.
Adeleke Adelani threatened the woman on February 14, 2020, telling her he would “beat the baby out of her” if she refused to take the tablets he had procured from a Dublin pharmacy.
The victim, now 26, told the court she will always grieve her child. “Healing does not erase the loss; it only means I learned how to live with it,” she said, reading a heart-wrenching victim impact statement.
Garda PJ Folan outlined how officers arrived at what initially appeared to be a domestic incident in Letterkenny just before 2:20 pm that day. They found the woman inside the Ashlawn house, coinciding with Adelani’s return. The court heard that Adelani, a former student at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, had met the woman on Snapchat. The pair had previously terminated a pregnancy in October 2019 with medical supervision, but when she became pregnant again in January 2020 and decided to keep the baby, Adelani became enraged.
After cancelling a planned holiday upon learning she had skipped a GP appointment, Adelani lured the woman to his home under the pretense of keeping the baby together. Once there, he forced her to take five misoprostol 200mg tablets, instructing her, “I’m showing you what to do… take this… I’m dead serious… I’m forcing you. I don’t care, take it,” before locking her in a bedroom.
In the recording of the conversation, music plays in the background as Adelani further threatens her: “It’s either you eat this, or I beat that kid out of you tonight. I’m dead serious… I’m forcing you. I don’t care. Take it.”
Access to Adelani’s phone, which he refused to unlock for over four years, eventually revealed searches on how to perform an abortion, confirming premeditation. The woman fell ill after taking the tablets, experiencing fever, severe cramps, and passing large blood clots. While Adelani left to buy a pregnancy test, the victim called Gardaí. She was treated at Letterkenny University Hospital’s Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. Despite four interviews, Adelani made no admissions.
In court, the woman detailed the devastating impact of the crime. “When he wrongfully imprisoned me and caused the termination of my nine-week pregnancy, he took far more than my freedom. He took my child. He took my sense of safety. He took a future I had already begun to plan and love… The fact that this happened on Valentine’s Day makes the pain even deeper. While the world celebrated love, I was trapped, terrified, and losing my baby at the hands of someone I thought I could trust… I will always grieve my child. Justice matters.”
Judge John Aylmer sentenced Adelani to 11 years, with the final two years suspended, describing his actions as “extremely premeditated.” The judge noted Adelani had lured the woman under false pretences, conducted extensive online research about abortion, and ignored her “audible tears” during the incident. He said the offences—including unlawful termination of a foetus, assault causing harm, threats, and false imprisonment—were among the most serious contemplated under the law. Adelani showed no emotion in court, wearing a grey tracksuit as the sentence was passed.
Garda Inspector Paul McGee of Letterkenny Garda Station commended the victim’s bravery.
“During the course of this investigation, the victim displayed unwavering strength and resolve. By choosing to speak out, she has taken an important step that may encourage others suffering in silence to seek support… This case demonstrates our determination to take reports seriously and to carry out thorough, professional investigations,” he said.
The case has sent shockwaves across Ireland, with the Valentine’s Day timing adding a chilling dimension to an already harrowing story of abuse, coercion, and premeditated violence.
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