A man has been jailed for 18 years after clubbing his girlfriend and their unborn son to death during a frenzied attack in Omsk, Russia.

Dmitry Vasyukovich, 36, murdered his two victims because he did not want to have any children.

When Vasyukovich discovered that Marina Vodeyko, 33, was pregnant with his son, he offered to pay for an abortion and was furious when she refused.

Her friend, Alyona Morozova, said: “In mid-January Marina texted me saying that she was pregnant, and he wanted her to have an abortion. She told me that she really wanted the baby.”

Not wanting to bear the costs of raising his child, he fatally attacked Marina with a metal pipe. Their unborn son died 15 minutes later.

He has been sentenced to 18 years in jail, and ordered to pay £24,000 in compensation to her family.

SPUC Comment

A SPUC spokesperson said: “The terrible reality is that many women are coerced into having an abortion.

“In Marina’s case, her refusal to submit to this coercion had fatal consequences for her and her baby.

“This is a very real concern in the UK, where DIY home abortions can allow coercion to go unnoticed.

“As SPUC reported in January, 84% of Scots are concerned that DIY home abortion could result in women being coerced into having an unwanted abortion.”

ARCH

The Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline (ARCH), offers help for women, men and families to restore their lives and relationships after an abortion experience.

75% of women contacting ARCH have experienced some form of pressure or coercion.

If you, or anyone you know has been affected by abortion, contact ARCH for free, non-judgmental, confidential support: 0345 603 8501 or info@archtrust.org.uk.