The family of murdered pregnant teenager Nikitta Grender and the police who investigated her killing welcomed the conviction and the 35-year tariff yesterday.

BEN FRAMPTON reports THE grieving family of murdered mum-to-be Nikitta Grender gave their reaction to the verdict and sentence on the steps of Newport Crown Court yesterday.

Tredegar Park councillor and Miss Grender’s uncle, Michael Brunnock, read the statement on behalf of her mother Marcia Grender, father Paul Brunnock, brother Luke, boyfriend Ryan Mayes, and their immediate family.

It said: “We would like to thank Gwent Police for the investigation and support that we have received over the last 12 months and the prosecution team that has represented us.

“The last 12 months has been harder for us than you could ever imagine and, as a family, we remain in total disbelief as to what has happened.

“Nikitta was so young and beautiful and together with Ryan they were to become a very proud set of parents to Kelsey-May.

“This has been ripped from them by Carl Whant who has never had the decency to tell us the truth.

“For us to see our grandchild for the first time in a mortuary was the most heartbreaking thing we have ever had to do. Nikitta was so special and will remain in our hearts until we die. We will never deal with the tragic events that have stolen our family from us, but hope we can at least start to understand what has happened.”

Detective Chief Supt Geoff Ronayne, who led the murder investigation, said: “We are satisfied that justice has been served today with the conviction of Carl Whant for the horrific murder of Nikitta and Kelsey-May.

“Whant has never admitted his guilt , given any indication as to why he committed this terrible crime or provided Nikitta’s family with any answers.

Gwent Police officers worked tirelessly and thoroughly with colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service to present comprehensive evidence to the court to ensure the best opportunity for conviction.

“We also sought advice from experts from across the UK in various disciplines to strengthen the case against Whant. We have endeavoured to do our utmost to get justice for Nikitta and Kelsey- May.

“We have also done our best to provide support to Nikitta’s family, and our thoughts, as they have always been, are with them today.

With the murder of Nikitta and Kelsey-May, they have lost their daughter, sister and granddaughter and Ryan has lost his girlfriend and daughter.

“The family, and Ryan, must be commended for their bravery and dignity, and for the support they have given to the police investigation over the last 12 months.

“This process has undoubtedly been a harrowing ordeal for them.

I’m hopeful that this conviction brings to an end one part of that process, although, without a doubt, they will continue to mourn and grieve for Nikitta and Kelsey-May for the rest of their lives.

“Also of note is the support we, as an investigative team, have received from the community of Broadmead Park and Moorland Park and we are confident that they will continue to support the family throughout this difficult time.”