Man gets life sentence for killing unborn son of Luton graduate Malorie Bantala

A man who brutally assaulted his pregnant ex-girlfriend and killed their unborn son has been jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 16 years.
Malorie Bantala lost her unborn son in the attackMalorie Bantala lost her unborn son in the attack
Malorie Bantala lost her unborn son in the attack

Kevin Wilson, 21, of Longfield Estate, Bermondsey, had previously been convicted of child destruction and grievous bodily harm with intent on Malorie Bantala after planning the attack because he did not want to be a father.

A 17-year-old recruited by Wilson to help in the assault was also found guilty of child destruction and GBH and has been handed an extended 14 year sentence.

On June 15 last year Malorie– who graduated from the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton campus in 2014– was approached by two men on Talfourd Place, Peckham.

Kevin WilsonKevin Wilson
Kevin Wilson

The pair, who were wearing motorbike crash helmets, pushed her to the ground and continually kicked and stamped on her stomach.

The suspects then ran off, still wearing the crash helmets, in the direction of Denman Road and made off on a motorcycle or scooter.

Malorie, who was 32 weeks pregnant, was rushed to King’s College Hospital but her unborn baby boy could not be saved and was stillborn by emergency C-section.

Malorie, 21, needed life-saving surgery to control bleeding from a major artery and also suffered fractures to her right hand as she tried to protect her stomach during the attack.

Kevin WilsonKevin Wilson
Kevin Wilson

During Wilson’s trial the Old Bailey heard that he and Malorie had begun a short relationship in the summer of 2011 while at university.

After they split up they stayed on good terms, occasionally seeing each other.

In December 2014, Malorie discovered she was pregnant and told Wilson over the phone.

Malorie decided she wanted to keep the baby and informed Wilson, who responded: “Why are you doing this to me?”

After a number of failed attempts to try to persuade Malorie to abort the pregnancy, Wilson made plans to attack his ex-girlfriend with 17-year-old Taffari Grant, also of Longfield Estate, Bermondsey.

During the brutal attack Malorie immediately recognised one of her attackers as Wilson and called out his name as he made off, causing him to turn and look back at her.

Wilson, learning he was wanted, attended Walworth police station on June 16 and was arrested.

Grant was arrested on August 24.

After the pair were convicted detective chief inspector Rob Pack, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “This has been a truly shocking case.

“Shocking that a man would plan and carry out such a violent and abhorrent attack with the sole intention of destroying the life he had helped create.

“Also, shocking that any person would help him in committing this crime.

“But Wilson was not a willing father-to-be.

“The court heard how selfish and manipulative he is.

“He didn’t want a baby or the responsibility one would bring.”