An expectant father and the relative he recruited to try and kill his unborn child by pouring detergent down a pregnant teenager's throat have been jailed for a total of 21 years.
Harief Pearson, 22, enlisted cousin Kydie McKenna, 22, and a 16-year-old girl who cannot be named, to help trigger a miscarriage because he 'did not want to be a father'.
The 17-year-old victim was held hostage in an ordeal lasting multiple hours at Pearson's home in Harlesden, north west London on December 12 last year.
Harrow Crown Court heard Pearson had searched a 'how to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy at one month' and 'what time is easiest to lose a baby' on his phone prior to the attack.
Harief Pearson, 22, enlisted his cousin Kydie McKenna, 22, and a 16-year-old girl to kill his unborn baby. He has been sentenced to 11 years in jail +3
Harief Pearson, 22, enlisted his cousin Kydie McKenna, 22, and a 16-year-old girl to kill his unborn baby. He has been sentenced to 11 years in jail
James Thacker, prosecuting, said: 'In December 2018 the complainant discovered she was pregnant and telephoned the father to break the news however he told her 'you know what to do, I am not ready to have a kid.'
'She told him she wanted to keep the baby and wanted him to be part of their lives.
'Mr Pearson told her he would get someone to kidnap her.
'He later said he would give £10,000 to anyone who put out a hit on the complainant if she went to the police.'
The victim visited Pearson's home on the day before the attack, staying overnight before trying to leave the next day after discovering Pearson was now in a relationship with the 16-year-old, who was 15 at the time.
'Mr Pearson told her she could not leave. He snatched her phone from her hand.
'Approximately five minutes later Miss McKenna arrived at the house.
'She entered wearing a balaclava and placed the complainant in a chokehold, trying to pull her to the floor.'
Mr Thacker said McKenna told the victim 'dunno why you thought you could have his baby' as she tackled her to the ground with the help of the 15-year-old.
During the ordeal McKenna and the 15-year-old punched, kicked and stamped on the pregnant girl, hitting her in the stomach, back and chest, causing blood to splatter over the walls.
Kydie McKenna, 22, cousin of Harief Pearson, attacked the young victim and kept her hostage for a number of hours in an attempt to abort her unborn baby. She has been sentenced to ten years in prison
The court heard the 15-year-old 'without hesitation' ripped off one of the victim's nails and McKenna poured alcohol over her bloodied face.
Mr Thacker added: 'The prosecution say she deliberately put on her trainers before stamping on the victim's belly, back and chest.
'The 15-year-old told the complainant 'we'll get rid of it'.
'McKenna was pulling her hair as the 15-year-old repeatedly kicked her in the stomach.
When the pregnant teen asked for water, liquid laundry detergent was poured down her throat by the 15-year-old.
After around 20 minutes of being beaten. Pearson told the girls 'I don't think it's dead yet, continue' before leaving the room.
Fortunately the unborn child survived the attack and the victim is expected to give birth in the next month.
Mr Thacker continued: 'Some violence was gratuitous, such as the ripping off the thumbnail.
'We say it was good fortune that the foetus survived.
'This was nothing other than a sustained and vicious assault.
'Their intent was to cause an abortion.'
A 999 call made by McKenna was played in court in which she told the operator that she had found the victim on the street.
She further lied to the operator by saying she did not have a mobile phone despite CCTV footage showing she had one in her hand.
The 17-year-old victim said in a statement read to the court: 'I know this is something I will not be able to forget.
McKenna and the 15-year-old punched, stamped and kicked the pregnant teenager to the stomach, back and chest, Harrow Crown court (pictured) was told
'It will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.'
The victim continued: 'My life has been affected in many ways.
'I had a similar circle of friends as Pearson but I have cut off everyone because I don't know who to trust.'
'They have pleaded guilty to an intention to do really serous harm and abort a child.'
Pearson and the 15-year-old were arrested at Pearson's home on 15 December and McKenna was arrested on 14 January at her home address.
Lucy Daniels, representing the teenage defendant, who is now heavily pregnant, asked for her to be spared a prison sentence.
She said: 'This was a traumatic incident not only for the complainant but also to her because not long after her arrest she realised she was also pregnant.
'It is not lost on her that it could have been her.'
Ms Daniels said the fact the baby survived the ordeal should be taken into account.
Lady Justice Simler replied: 'It was not because they pulled back. It was more luck than judgement.
'The intended harm was the snuffing out of a life.'
Lady Justice Simler jailed Pearson for 11 years and sentenced McKenna to ten years in prison.
The teenage defendant received four years long term detention.
Lady Justice Simler said: 'There were no lasting injuries to the victim or the foetus and she remains pregnant.
'She was particularly vulnerable, she was known to be pregnant well before the attack started.
'This was a sustained and repeated assault on her.'
Addressing Pearson, the judge said: 'You planned it and involved the other two to do your dirty work.
'That makes you all the more dangerous.
'You manipulated others to achieve your own criminal end.
'This was a particularly serious assault on a young woman with an intent to procure a miscarriage.
'You demonstrate a concerning detachment and a complete lack of empathy or remorse for a victim who was vulnerable.
'You are a dangerous young man.'
Turning to McKenna, the judge said: 'You played a leading role although it was slightly lesser than Pearson who was the instigator of all of this.
'You are a young woman of two halves. You had such promise but sadly as a consequence of the experiences you have allowed yourself to become involved in grave offending.
'You have a son born in 2017 and I take into account you suffer from your experiences.'
Lady Justice Simler also sentenced McKenna to a concurrent sentence of six and a half years for a robbery dating back to 2018.
Sentencing the teenager, she added: 'A custodial sentence should be a last resort for children and young people.
'These three offences are so serious that in my judgement only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
'I am satisfied that a risk of harm posed by you in the future is very high.
'It is necessary to protect the public from that risk.
'You knew what you were doing, you knew she was pregnant. You may not have known about the plan before but you certainly knew by then.'
A restraining order against all three defendants from contacting the victim or her child will be decided at a later date.
Pearson admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice mid-way through his trial.
The 15-year-old girl, who has since turned 16 and is from the Hammersmith area, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, administering poison with intent to procure a miscarriage and false imprisonment. She had previously pleaded guilty to theft.
McKenna, from Park Royal, northwest London, earlier admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice.
Luisa Stuart, from the CPS, said: 'This was a vicious, shameful and premeditated attack on a vulnerable young pregnant victim. It was orchestrated by Pearson because he did not want to be a father.
'I hope these convictions provide some level of comfort to the victim who has shown immense bravery throughout this investigation and trial. The CPS takes allegations of violence extremely seriously and will prosecute perpetrators where there is sufficient evidence to do so.'
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