Peckham baby death attack: Ex-boyfriend appears in court Published duration 18 June 2015

image copyright National News and Pictures image caption Malorie Bantala is understood to be in intensive care in hospital

The ex-boyfriend of a heavily pregnant woman has appeared in court charged with child destruction after she was attacked and lost her baby.

Malorie Bantala, 21, who was 32 weeks pregnant, was attacked by two men in Peckham on Monday evening.

Kevin Wilson of Bermondsey, who Ms Bantala's family believe was the baby's father, is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

His counsel at Camberwell Magistrates' Court indicated he denied the charges.

Mr Wilson, 20, a teaching assistant from the Longfield Estate, was remanded in custody to appear before Woolwich Crown Court on 2 July.

Ms Bantala had to wait for more than an hour for an ambulance that never arrived.

media caption Richard Lister reports from outside court

'Stamped on stomach'

She was eventually taken to hospital by police after a 70-minute wait but her baby was pronounced dead in the early hours of Tuesday.

Detectives said Ms Bantala is said to remain in a critical condition in intensive care but had managed to provide an account of the attack to officers.

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

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

The London Ambulance Service issued an apology for an ambulance not reaching her and said the first 999 call, made by a member of the public, had been assessed as a "lower priority call".

The call was made at 20:16 BST on Monday and the Metropolitan Police cancelled the request for an ambulance at 21:25 when its officers took the woman to hospital.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.