A former nightclub bouncer has been jailed for at least 35 years for murdering a pregnant teenager two weeks before she was due to give birth.
Carl Whant, 27, of Bettws, Newport, raped and stabbed 19-year-old Nikitta Grender at her home, killing her unborn daughter at the same time.
He set fire to her flat before returning to a party where he had been all night with her boyfriend.
Whant was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday after a jury convicted him.
During the trial, the court heard how Whant was caught on CCTV by three separate cameras driving his car from the party he had been to near Ms Grender’s flat.
Blood on a shirt and in his car was also identified as Ms Grender’s.
Speaking after the sentence, Detective Chief Superintendent Geoff Ronayne, Gwent Police: “We are satisfied that justice has been served today with the conviction of Carl Whant for the horrific murder of Nikitta and Kelsey-May.
“Whant has never admitted his guilt , given any indication as to why he committed this terrible crime or provided Nikitta’s family with any answers. Gwent Police officers worked tirelessly and thoroughly with colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service to present comprehensive evidence to the court to ensure the best opportunity for conviction. We also sought advice from experts from across the UK in various disciplines to strengthen the case against Whant. We have endeavoured to do our utmost to get justice for Nikitta and Kelsey May.
“We have also done our best to provide support to Nikitta’s family, and our thoughts, as they have always been, are with them today. With the murder of Nikitta and Kelsey-May, they have lost their daughter, sister and grand daughter and Ryan has lost his girlfriend and daughter.
“The family, and Ryan, must be commended for their bravery and dignity, and for the support they have given to the police investigation over the last 12 months. This process has undoubtedly been a harrowing ordeal for them. I’m hopeful that this conviction brings to an end one part of that process, although, without a doubt, they will continue to mourn and grieve for Nikitta and Kelsey-May for the rest of their lives.
“Also of note is the support we, as an investigative team, have received from the community of Broadmead Park and Moorland Park and we are confident that they will continue to support the family throughout this difficult time”
David Wooler, Crown Advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service in Wales, said: “The prosecuting authorities worked hard to build a robust case against Carl Whant and we are content that the jury, having listened to and digested all of the evidence, has seen fit to convict him.
“A large number of people have supported this trial as witnesses and we would like to thank each and every one of them for their strength and resilience.
“When we reviewed the initial evidence gathered by Heddlu Gwent Police back in February last year, the truly horrific nature of the crimes committed was all too apparent.
“At that stage it was clearly appropriate to authorise a murder charge in relation to Nikitta Grender’s death. However, the offence of murder cannot be committed against unborn children and we felt it was extremely important that Kelsey-May’s death was marked by a separate charge in its own right.
“Carl Whant was therefore also charged with the offence of child destruction, under the Infant Life Preservation Act 1929. This piece of legislation – thankfully very rarely used – can help protect the rights of an unborn child that is capable of being born alive. Kelsey-May undoubtedly fit that description.
“I think many of us involved in highly emotive cases such as this one experience a strange mixture of emotions at its conclusion. Whilst we may feel that a conviction provides vindication for the immense amount of hard work that goes into a major criminal investigation and prosecution, we are acutely aware that today’s verdict does not bring back Nikitta or Kelsey-May.
“Equally, whilst we may move on to our next case, the family and friends of the victims are left to grieve their loss for many years to come. All we can do is hope that today’s conviction at least allows them to take one small step forward in rebuilding their lives.”