The former partner of a heavily pregnant woman has appeared in court charged with deliberately killing her unborn child by repeatedly stamping on her stomach.
Kevin Wilson is alleged to have attacked 21-year-old Malorie Bantala, who was 32 weeks pregnant, outside her home in Peckham, south London, on Monday night, Camberwell Green magistrates court heard.
Wilson, 21, was charged with destruction of a child and grievous bodily harm with intent. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, while a number of family members, including his father and two brothers, filled the public gallery.
The attack took place metres from a children’s playground and between two blocks of council houses, one of which is home to the Bantala family.
Bantala suffered substantial blood loss after the attack and had to undergo life-saving surgery but managed to give an account of her attack. Police believe the attack was premeditated.
Wilson, who works as a teaching assistant with troubled youths, denies the charges. He was arrested after walking into a police station on Tuesday.
Wilson was remanded in custody to appear at Woolwich crown court on 2 July. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Police have not arrested anyone else in connection with the attack on Bantala but investigations are ongoing.
London Ambulance Service has faced criticism because Bantala waited 70 minutes for an ambulance before police officers at the scene eventually took her to hospital themselves.
An ambulance service spokeswoman said: “We were called at 8.16pm on 15 June to Talfourd Place, SE15.
“We are very sorry that we were unable to send an ambulance before we were cancelled by the police at 9.25pm and are now looking into the circumstances of what happened.”
