MURDERER Carl Whant stood impassive in the dock as he was handed a life sentence for the rape and murder of pregnant teenager Nikitta Grender, writes Natalie Crockett.

The former bouncer and window salesman gave no reaction as the jury foreman delivered the unanimous guilty verdicts.

The father-of-two looked straight ahead and at no point did he look towards the public gallery where his mum and aunt sat.

More than 50 members of Miss Grender’s family and friends packed out the public gallery.

Many sobbed and looked aghast as the verdicts were read aloud.

Others sat with their hands to their mouths and hugged each other as they left the courtroom.

Boyfriend RyanMayes sat tearful, with his head in his hands, as the court cleared and was comforted by Miss Grender’s parents Marcia Grender and Paul Brunnock.

Along with the family and friends, dozens of local and national press, police officers and barristers unconnected to the case filled the court and the corridor outside the court, as the usher gave notice a verdict had been reached.

The tension and silence in the courtroom ahead of the decision was broken only by gasps of relief from the public gallery.