A mother and father convicted of fatally assaulting their infant son have had their minimum prison sentences extended following an intervention by the Attorney General. Nivalda Santos Pirjani, 35, and Kleji Pirjani, 37, will now serve at least 17 years and nine months and 21 years and six months, respectively, after the Court of Appeal revised their original terms.

The couple’s son, Miguel Pirjani, suffered extensive abuse during his short life, including 41 fractures before his death. Miguel spent his first month in hospital before being discharged to his parents’ home in Seacombe, Wallasey. Within days of returning home, he was subjected to physical abuse that resulted in two broken ribs. The severity of the assaults escalated over time.

On November 24, 2024, when Miguel was just 13 weeks old, he was subjected to a fatal attack involving one or more heavy blows to the head. Miguel died in hospital five days later as a result of his injuries. During the original trial, the sentencing judge was unable to determine which parent had inflicted the fatal injury but concluded that both had acted together, with one encouraging the other.

Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC referred the case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme, prompting the lengthening of the minimum terms. In a statement, Reeves described Miguel as a "defenceless baby who had an entire life to live" and expressed support for the court’s decision to impose harsher sentences. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring that those responsible for serious crimes are appropriately held accountable.

The extended sentences reflect the gravity of the abuse and the fatal outcome, underscoring the justice system’s stance on child abuse cases involving severe harm and loss of life.