Peckham: Heavily pregnant woman loses baby in 'sickening' deliberate attack

A man has been arrested after a heavily pregnant woman lost her baby during a "brutal" assault on a street in south-east London.

Metropolitan Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after 21-year-old Malorie Bantala, who was 32 weeks pregnant, was attacked while walking along Talfourd Place, Peckham, on 15 June.

The victim was approached by two men wearing motorbike helmets who then pushed her to the ground and repeatedly kicked and stamped on her stomach.

The two suspects then ran off still wearing the helmets. The woman was taken to hospital where she remains in critical condition in intensive care, but her baby could not be saved.

Police are investigating whether the men deliberately attacked the woman in this way so she would lose her child.

A 20-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.

Det chief insp Robert Pack, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This was a truly abhorrent and vile attack on a heavily pregnant woman who has now, tragically, lost her baby.

"The men who attacked her must have known the impact their actions would have when they kicked her repeatedly in the stomach. It is sickening to think someone would deliberately target a pregnant woman in this way.

"The suspects were distinctive in their crash helmets and we would appeal for anyone who saw them either before the attack or running from the scene to please come forward and contact us."

The two men were described as black and in their 20s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.