Man Charged Over Pregnant Woman Attack

A 20-year-old man has been charged after a pregnant woman was attacked and her unborn baby died.

Malorie Bantala, 21, who was 32 weeks pregnant, is in a critical condition after she was attacked near her home in Peckham, south east London, on Monday night.

Kevin Wilson, 20, of Longfield Estate, SE1 has been charged with child destruction and grievous bodily harm with intent following the alleged assault.

He will appear in custody at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court later.

Earlier the London Ambulance Service apologised after the woman was forced to wait more than an hour for an ambulance that never arrived.

A spokeswoman for the London Ambulance Service (LAS) said: "We were called at 8.16pm on 15 June to Talfourd Place, SE15.

"We are very sorry that we were unable to send an ambulance before we were cancelled by the police at 9.25pm and are now looking into the circumstances of what happened."

The spokeswoman said the first 999 call from a member of the public was assessed to be a category C call - or "lower priority".

She confirmed that the LAS did not attend and that police officers took the woman to a south London hospital.

Police said Miss Bantala was shoved to the ground by two men wearing motorcycle helmets, who then kicked and stamped on her stomach.

Detective Chief Inspector 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."

Witnesses heard screams and rushed to the woman's aid after the attackers fled.

Officers gave first aid at the scene before Miss Bantala was taken to hospital.

:: Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.