Pregnant teenager Nikitta Grender was found dead at her Lliswerry home after a fire in February last year.
Carl Whant, 27, of no fixed address, stands accused of the rape and murder of Miss Grender on February 5 last year. He is also accused of arson and child destruction. He denies all the charges.
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#nikitta usually locked the door in the evening, Whant told police
Tue Feb 07 15:27:09 2012
Whant told police Ryan had lost his flat keys in the past, but the door would normally be open if #nikitta was in, jury hears
Tue Feb 07 15:23:11 2012
Whant described how #nikitta was sat on the bed in the flat. Then he and Ryan left after 15 mins, court told
Tue Feb 07 15:20:23 2012
Jury is shown a sketch of the layout of #nikitta's flat that Whant drew during police interview
Tue Feb 07 15:15:48 2012
In interview Whant told police how he went to Ryan and #nikitta's Broadmead Park flat after work on Feb 4, court hears
Tue Feb 07 15:13:19 2012
Whant said he was "sure" he had not been alone with #nikitta since she got pregnant, jury hears
Tue Feb 07 15:08:40 2012
Whant told police he couldn't remember the last time he was alone with #nikitta, jury told
Tue Feb 07 15:07:45 2012
Every time Whant had been there Ryan has been there. Never been there alone with #nikitta, court told
Tue Feb 07 15:06:53 2012
Whant told police he would never visit Ryan and #nikitta's flat when Ryan wasn't there, court told
Tue Feb 07 15:05:54 2012
Whant denied ever having sex with #nikitta when asked in police interview, court told
Tue Feb 07 14:44:58 2012
Jury told Whant said that was the only time anything sexual had happened between him and #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:43:15 2012
Court hears Whant told police he and #nikitta were "just friends". But they did meet up once for a kiss
Tue Feb 07 14:41:23 2012
Whant told police that as far as he was concerned people only fall in love with one person, court told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:39:30 2012
Whant told police Ryan and #nikitta argued because Ryan revealed he had another baby, but everything had been sorted, jury told
Tue Feb 07 14:37:56 2012
Whant told police Ryan and #nikitta were in love. He said they broke up but always got back together, court told
Tue Feb 07 14:36:04 2012
Whant said Ryan and #nikitta had a normal relationship. They would argue sometimes and have good times, court told
Tue Feb 07 14:34:13 2012
Whant said he had an "all right", "friendly" relationship with #nikitta. But they would argue if he brought Ryan home drunk, jury hears
Tue Feb 07 14:33:21 2012
Whant said the cousins were "best friends" who did everything together. They never had any problems, court told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:31:04 2012
Whant told police his relationship with Ryan Mayes was "excellent" and he was the closest thing he had to a father, jury told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:29:54 2012
Whant agreed to answer officers' questions in interview 7. When asked if he was responsible for #nikitta's death he said "no", jury told
Tue Feb 07 14:27:05 2012
Court hears Whant said he was upset that "all this" was all over the media headlines #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:24:34 2012
Whant told officers he was upset he couldn't speak to his girlfriend to find out how his son was, court told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:23:32 2012
In interview 7 police appealed to Whant be honest, telling him the investigation meant a lot to a lot of people, court told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:22:25 2012
During interview 7 officers noted Whant was upset and had been crying, jury hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:20:59 2012
Court hears Whant also said "no comment" when asked if he and #nikitta had ever been more than just friends, and if he was attracted to her
Tue Feb 07 14:19:37 2012
Whant gave "no comment" answers when asked about his whereabouts in the early hours of Feb 5, court told
Tue Feb 07 14:18:18 2012
Whant continued to answer "no comment" when asked if he got into any scuffles or suffered any injuries on Feb 4, jury told
Tue Feb 07 14:16:56 2012
Whant refused to answer questions about who he was with on the night of Feb 4 and also when asked of he spent time with #nikitta, jury told
Tue Feb 07 14:13:07 2012
Court told how Whant said work mates Ryan Mayes and Anthony Mitchell could verify he worked during the day of Feb 4 #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:10:46 2012
Whant told police in interviews he worked with Ryan Mayes at Anglian windows, court hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:09:37 2012
Court told Whant said "no comment" when asked if he had been drinking and taking drugs on Feb 4 #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:07:57 2012
Whant gave "no comment" answers when asked about the car he was driving on Feb 4 and where he went, jury told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:06:59 2012
Whant said "no comment" when asked if anyone could verify his movements between 9pm and 10pm on Feb 4, court hears
Tue Feb 07 14:06:04 2012
Whant continued to answer "no comment" to questions about who he was with on the night of Feb 4, jury told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:05:08 2012
Whant willingly answered questions about his job working as a canvasser for Anglian Windows, jury hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 14:00:33 2012
Court hears Whant gave police information of where he lived but continued to answer "no comment" to questions regarding Feb 4 #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:59:00 2012
Also answered "no comment" when asked if he had harmed, court heard #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:57:27 2012
Whant gave "no comment" answers to questions about his whereabouts on Feb 4 and 5, jury hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:56:31 2012
When asked in his first interview if he was responsible for #nikitta's death Whant said "no comment" court hears
Tue Feb 07 13:55:16 2012
Whant was arrested at 9.56am on Feb on suspicion of #nikitta's murder. He said nothing but nodded his head, court told
Tue Feb 07 13:54:11 2012
Det Crandon is reading aloud what he said during the interview and Mr Bennett is reading what Whant said #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:49:46 2012
Junior prosecuting barrister Ieuan Bennett is taking Detective Crandon through a transcript of the interviews #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:46:49 2012
All were recorded and Whant was accompanied by a solicitor, court told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:43:11 2012
He carried out police interviews with Whant. There were 26 over four days from Feb 9 to 12, 2011 #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 13:41:03 2012
#nikitta trial resumes. Next witness is detective John Crandon
Tue Feb 07 13:40:16 2012
End of DC Crocker's evidence. Court breaking for lunch until 1.35pm #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:35:43 2012
Crocker: Whant remained "totally silent". He never complained about cuffs #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:34:04 2012
He cautioned Whant as he was arrested and handcuffed. He was then taken to Ystrad Mynach police station, jury told #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:33:16 2012
Next witness is Detective Constable Stuart Crocker. He arrested Whant on suspicion of #nikitta's murder
Tue Feb 07 12:31:38 2012
Jury told Christopher Lewis, Maria Henson and Joshua Mason will not be called as witnesses as their evidence would add nothing #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:30:19 2012
End of Miss Allman's evidence. #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:28:16 2012
Allman: Ryan Mayes wasn't at the flat, he was out watching the rugby with the boys #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:27:09 2012
Allman: we went back to her flat for her to get changed #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:26:15 2012
Allman: #nikitta was wearing pyjamas when she came out of her mum's house that night. She had her dog with her
Tue Feb 07 12:25:46 2012
Mr Kinch QC is cross examining Miss Allman #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:24:34 2012
Allman: There was someone repairing a window near the flat when dropped #nikitta off. He was wearing a bright jacket
Tue Feb 07 12:23:18 2012
Allman: saw her open the door and go in around 1am #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:21:25 2012
Allman: Joshua Mason was in the car also. Dropped #nikitta off at her flat
Tue Feb 07 12:21:01 2012
Allman: returned to Newport from Cwmbran around 12.30am on Feb 5 #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:20:32 2012
Allman: went to Asda in Pill, then to Cwmbran Bowlplex #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:19:42 2012
Allman: #nikitta seemed fine, her normal self. We drove to Cwmbran and around Newport
Tue Feb 07 12:19:05 2012
Allman: picked #nikitta up around 7.30pm on Feb 4 at her mum's house before going to her Broadmead Park flat
Tue Feb 07 12:18:24 2012
The pair would drive around in the evenings in Jenna's mum's car. They would meet up with friends, jury hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:17:31 2012
She had known #nikitta for around 6/7 years
Tue Feb 07 12:16:47 2012
End if Miss Taylor's evidence. Next witness is #nikitta's friend Jenna Allman
Tue Feb 07 12:16:26 2012
Kinch: taking all that into account did you have a clear memory? #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:14:34 2012
Taylor: I drank vodka, lager. Don't know how much. Took some cocaine more than once #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:14:08 2012
Kinch: it's a fact that a lot of drink and drugs were consumed that evening. What did you have? #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 12:13:10 2012
police officers were interested in phone calls made to and from Miss Taylor's phone, jury hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:59:56 2012
Mr Kinch Suggests Miss Taylor is wrong about some of the timings of events at Corelli Street on Feb 5, 2011, court hears #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:50:11 2012
Court taking a short break #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:20:44 2012
Taylor: it was just flirting, nothing was going to happen #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:13:05 2012
Kinch: there was no doubt in your mind that Ryan Mayes wanted things to go further? It was down to you that it didn't #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:12:26 2012
Taylor: I just kissed him that's all #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:09:53 2012
Kinch: There was a bit of "snogging" wasn't there? #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:09:42 2012
Kinch: Ryan Mayes didn't tell you he had a partner did he? As far are you knew he was unattached? #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:08:27 2012
Taylor: it was nothing more than flirting #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:05:10 2012
Kinch: would it be right that Ryan Mayes was paying particular attention to you? He seemed quite interested in you? #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:04:50 2012
Kinch: would you agree with me that it was easier to recall what happened on that night nearer the time, compared with now? #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 11:03:40 2012
Def counsel Christopher Kinch QC is now to cross examine Miss Taylor #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:58:59 2012
Taylor: phoned for a taxi around 7.45am on Feb 5, 2011 #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:58:00 2012
Taylor: We asked Whant if he had any cigarettes. He said no he had already smoked one #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:56:32 2012
Taylor: Whant returned to the house around 40-45 mins after he left. I remember looking at the time on my phone #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:53:51 2012
Taylor: Whant's girlfriend rang us back and asked if we were with Whant, Ryan told her no #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:51:08 2012
Taylor: about 20 mins after Whant left Ryan used my phone to ring Whant's girlfriend to see if he was with her #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:49:42 2012
Taylor: we asked if we could go with him but Whant said no he would be back soon #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:48:01 2012
Taylor: Ryan asked if he could have Whant's phone to make sure he came back #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:47:20 2012
Taylor: Whant left the house to go and get cigarettes from his nan's house and he said would be back #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:46:53 2012
Taylor: paid £15 for a bag of cocaine. It lasted us about 45 minutes. Me, Ryan Mayes, Daniel Matthews and Whant took it #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:43:25 2012
Taylor: ordered some drugs from someone who brought them to the house #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:41:31 2012
Taylor: was talking to Ryan Mayes about my boyfriend at the time #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:39:01 2012
Taylor: I went into the attic bedroom with Ryan Mayes. Whant was using Facebook on a computer downstairs #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:38:25 2012
Taylor: had been drinking and taking drugs but was "very aware" of what I was doing that night #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:37:18 2012
Taylor: Can't remember which side of the road Whant parked the car on #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:36:35 2012
Taylor: around 2.30am we went to a house in Corelli Street #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:35:49 2012
Taylor: did not see Whant without his coat on in The Greyhound #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:35:06 2012
Taylor: the group went to Revolution night club then on to The Greyhound pub #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:34:21 2012
Jury being shown CCTV stills of the group when they arrived in the city centre that night #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:32:12 2012
Taylor: then they and other friends went to Newport city centre in Whant's car #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:31:07 2012
Taylor: went to The Star pub on Duckpool road that night. She had never met Ryan Mayes or Whant before #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:30:20 2012
She was out with Ryan Mayes and Whant on Feb 4 last year #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:28:31 2012
First witness today is Elizabeth Taylor #nikitta
Tue Feb 07 10:25:34 2012
Back at the #nikitta trial today with @ArgusAChalk. Follow me for live coverage from 10am
Tue Feb 07 09:49:48 2012
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