A MAN has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend's unborn baby.

Asa Davison, 35, was convicted of child destruction by a jury today following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Davison, of Gillingham, Dorset, was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

The jury reached their verdicts following more than 11 hours of deliberations.

They found the defendant guilty of the child destruction and causing grievous bodily with intent offences by a majority of 11 to one.

Jurors were unanimous in their guilty verdicts for the assault occasioning actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice allegations.

As reported, prosecutors said Davison attacked his victim while she was 29 weeks pregnant with another man's child.

The trial was told Davison had been in a relationship with the woman for a couple of months and she was already pregnant before they got together.

Prosecuting, Sarah Jones, said the defendant felt bitter about the prospect of raising another man’s child.

Davison was said to have deliberately kicked and punched her in the stomach and dragged her along the road.

“On the night of May 29, 2020, the defendant erupted into violence which the Crown says caused her to lose her 29 week old baby and suffer serious injuries to herself," said Ms Jones.

“One witness described the defendant as treating the woman like a dog on a lead and kicking her up the road. She saw him punch her in the face, drag her along the road and kick her in the belly. Another resident heard a sound like someone dragging a bag of compost.

“[The victim] was taken to hospital where she was found to have significant facial injuries.

“An ultrasound detected no fetal heartbeat and confirmed the baby died inside her, which at the 20 week scan was developing normally and without concern."

Giving evidence during the trial, Davison denied assaulting his girlfriend and claimed she had told him she sustained injuries by falling down a flight of stairs.

Following the guilty verdicts, the defendant made remarks to the members of the jury as they left the court room.

The Honourable Mrs Johannah Cutts QC said the defendant will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday, December 21.

She asked for a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to be prepared ahead of the hearing.

Davison was remanded into custody ahead of the sentencing.