A 58-year-old woman convicted of one count of abortion has escaped a custodial sentence.

The Suva High court heard that in July 2016, Vineeta Devi unlawfully performed an abortion on a 22-year-old woman in Nausori.

The victim was one month pregnant at the time.

In mitigation, Devi told the court that she is self-employed and married with an adopted son.

She admitted it was wrong of her to perform the abortion and took full responsibility for her actions.

High court Judge Justice Riyaz Hamza sentenced Devi to a three year imprisonment term suspended for five years.