A man accused of the "destruction" of his ex-lover's unborn baby has appeared in court in London, where he has been refused bail.

Kevin Wilson (21) who is a teaching assistant, is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the mother-to-be, Malorie Bantala.

Ms Bantala (21) is still critically ill in hospital after life-saving surgery on Monday night. She had suffered major blood-loss at the scene.

She was 32 weeks pregnant when she was attacked by two young men wearing motorbike helmets outside her home in Peckham, south east London.

The main charge against Wilson is child destruction, brought under the UK's Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929.

The indictment reads: "With intent to destroy the life of a child capable of being born alive, by a wilful act, namely kicking and stamping on the stomach of the 32-weeks pregnant mother, caused the child to die before it had an existence independent of its mother."

Wilson's lawyer Judith Kessie said he was arrested after walking into a police station the day after the attack.

His father, brothers and other relatives packed the public gallery for the hearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court.

The defendant and the victim were said to have known each other for five years.

London Ambulance Service has apologised for failing to send paramedics to help Ms Bantala at the scene.

Police gave her first aid before taking her to hospital where attempts to save her unborn child failed.