Pregnant teenager loses unborn child in ‘utterly inhumane’ attack

A man has been found guilty of ‘utterly inhumane’ violence towards a pregnant teenager, causing her to lose her unborn child.

Stefan Marin, 19, of New George Street, Hull, was convicted unanimously by a jury of child destruction, grievous bodily harm with intent, non-fatal strangulation, false imprisonment, and perverting the course of justice following a nine-day trial.

During four hours on March 13 this year, he attacked the girl, 17,who was 29 weeks pregnant, ‘punching, kicking, strangling and scalding’ her.

As the victim tried to protect her unborn child, Marin targeted her stomach, Hull Crown Court heard.

Then, despite initially refusing to let her leave, Marin made the 17-year-old girl get dressed in clean clothes before forcing her to get out of the flat where the assault took place.

CCTV footage captured Marin walking the victim to the top of an alleyway and leaving her there, ‘showing no thought or care for what would happen to her’.

Before leaving, he ‘threatened her not to tell anyone what had happened, warning that he would harm both her and her family if she did’.

The girl, who was 29 weeks pregnant, was found collapsed in the street by a member of the public at around 10.20pm where she was bleeding and barely conscious.

She had severe facial injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where it was found she had suffered a broken nose and ‘significant trauma’ to her body.

Scans revealed her baby had died. Just days earlier, the baby had been confirmed healthy with no complications.

Officers attended Marin’s home address and found it had been cleaned, with a strong smell of bleach throughout.

The victim’s discarded clothing was found outside the property. Marin was arrested at an address in Great Thornton Street on March 14.

A statement was read out in court on behalf of the unnamed victim. She said: ‘What happened to me was something no one should ever have to go through. I was beaten for hours and suffered injuries that permanently changed my life – but the greatest pain of all was losing my baby boy.

‘I’ve had to find strength I never knew I had, and while nothing can bring my baby back, I hope that by speaking out, I can help others who are living with abuse realise there is a way out and that they are not alone.

‘I want to thank the doctors, nurses, the police, and most of all my family and friends who have supported me throughout this long journey.’

Leading the Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Investigation Team, Detective Chief Inspector Jon Cross said: ‘This was a deeply disturbing, violent, and harrowing attack on a vulnerable young girl, which resulted in the unfathomable loss of her child that was just weeks away from being born. Marin’s actions were calculated and utterly inhumane.

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‘After subjecting her to hours of sustained violence, he then left her alone in the street, knowing full well the extent of her injuries.

‘That level of disregard for her life and well-being is truly appalling.

‘He showed no remorse throughout the investigation, offering only ‘no comment’ as an answer when questioned about the violence during interviews.’

He added: ‘Domestic abuse in any form is completely and utterly unacceptable. We urge anyone experiencing abuse or who suspects someone may be at risk to contact us. Help is available, and we will do everything we can to hold offenders like Marin to account for their actions.’

Marin is due to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court at a later date.

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