Carl Whant Guilty: Former Nightclub Bouncer Jailed For 35 Years For Nikitta Grender Murder
A former nightclub bouncer has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 35 years for 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 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 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 his claims that he had consensual sex with their daughter just hours before her death, was brought to justice today.
Nikitta Grender, 19, (above) whose charred body was found in her burnt-out flat in Broadmead Park, Lliswerry, Newport, South Wales (below)
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 was found guilty of murder, rape, child destruction and arson.
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First Posted: 22/02/2012 11:23 Updated: 22/02/2012 13:53