Killer of pregnant teen sentenced to 35 years

A former nightclub bouncer was jailed for at least 35 years today for the rape and murder of a heavily-pregnant teenager in Wales last year.

Nikitta Grender, 19, was two weeks away from giving birth when drugged-up Carl Whant called at her flat at around 5am on February 5 last year.

The tattooed window salesman raped the mother-to-be, who was the girlfriend of his closest friend and second cousin Ryan Mayes, then slashed her throat and stabbed her in the abdomen.

In an attempt to disguise his crimes, he then set fire to her home in Newport, south Wales, which was ready for the imminent arrival of baby Kelsey May.

The blaze also claimed the life of Miss Grender’s pet dog, burning slowly for two hours before it was discovered by a frantic neighbour.

But “arrogant” and calculating killer Whant, who left Miss Grender’s parents sickened with claims that he had consensual sex with her hours before her death, was brought to justice today.

Despite throwing away the murder weapon, Whant, 27, of Bettws, near Newport, was caught after DNA evidence was found at the scene and in his car.

And the jury at Newport Crown Court rejected his lies that the reason he was driving near Miss Grender’s flat near sunrise was to “pick up fags” from his grandmother’s house.

Whant appeared to yawn as the jury found him unanimously guilty of four counts of murder, rape, child destruction and arson.

Mr Mayes looked at Whant and shook his head gently at each verdict.

Judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams warned the public to remain calm.

Despite the lengthy trial, no clear motive for Whant's senseless violence has ever emerged.