Peckham: Man charged over 'brutal and vile' attack on a heavily pregnant woman

A man has been charged with child destruction and causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an attack on a heavily pregnant woman, Malorie Bantala.

The 21-year-old, who was 32 weeks pregnant, lost her baby after being attacked by two men in Peckham, south London, on 16 June.

Kevin Wilson, 20, of Stansfield House, Longfield Estate, South East London, is due in court on 18 June.

The woman, who is in a critical condition, waited more than an hour for an ambulance that never arrived.

She was eventually taken to hospital by police after a 70-minute wait but lost her baby in the early hours of 17 June.

The London Ambulance Service apologised for the delay and said the first emergency call, made by a member of the public, had been assessed as a "lower priority call".

The call was made at 9.16pm and the Metropolitan Police cancelled the request for an ambulance at 9.25pm when its officers took the woman to hospital.

Police said the woman was pushed to the ground by two men in motorcycle helmets who allegedly kicked and stamped on her stomach.

Detectives said she was in intensive care, but had managed to provide an account of the attack to officers.

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 attackers ran off and no motorbike was found, with police saying the helmets may have been worn as a disguise.

Police said they wanted any witnesses to come forward.

Wilson will appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court. The charge of child destruction is under the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929.