Ex-bouncer guilty of Nikitta murder

Feb 22 2012

A former nightclub bouncer has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the brutal rape and murder of heavily pregnant teenager Nikitta Grender.

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

Tattooed Whant raped the mother-to-be, who was the girlfriend of his closest friend and 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, which was ready for the imminent arrival of baby Kelsey May.

The blaze also claimed the life of Miss Grender's pet dog. The fire burned 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 his claims that he had consensual sex with their daughter just hours before her death, has now been brought to justice.

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.

He was found guilty of murder, rape, child destruction and arson at Newport Crown Court, and appeared to yawn as the four unanimous guilty verdicts were delivered.

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

Judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams jailed Whant for a minimum of 35 years.