Parents' sentences increased for murdering three-month-old son

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 14:28 · Archive

A couple's jail terms for murdering their baby have been increased after appeal judges ruled them unduly lenient.

Klevi Pirjani, 38, and Nivalda Pirjani, 35, from Wirral, Merseyside, have had their murder sentences increased by the Court of Appeal. Klevi's minimum term rose from 19 years to 21 years and six months, and Nivalda's increased from 15 years to 17 years and nine months. The judges found the original sentences, handed down in April, were "unduly lenient".

Their three-month-old son, Miguel, died in November 2024. He was taken to Alder Hey children's hospital suffering severe head injuries and died five days after admission. Medical examination revealed he had suffered 41 separate bone fractures inflicted across at least four separate incidents of abuse. The Court of Appeal heard that Miguel's death was caused by an assault involving "a heavy blow, or series of blows, to the right side of his head".

Attorney General Ellie Reeves referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the original terms did not "meet the justice of this terrible case". Lord Justice Jeremy Baker, sitting with Mr Justice Goose and Mr Justice Hilliard, said the couple subjected their son to "routine" assaults which increased in severity and culminated in his "particularly callous" murder. The judges said the original minimum terms "significantly underestimated the aggravating factors". The Pirjani couple opposed the application to lengthen their sentences, maintaining the original terms were appropriate.

How it is being reported

• Parents who murdered their 13-week-old son after campaign of abuse have their 'unduly lenient' life sentence minimum terms increasedAn evil couple who battered their three-month-old son to death have today been ordered to serve extra prison time after judges deemed their previous punishments 'unduly lenient'.Daily Mail · 27 Oct, 15:41
• Parents who battered 13-week-old son to death have 'unduly lenient' jail sentences increasedKlevi and Nivalda Pirjani were handed their initial sentences earlier this year, and they have now been increasedThe Independent · 27 Oct, 14:00
• Parents who killed their baby have sentences increasedKlevi Pirjani, 38, and 35-year-old Nivalda Pirjani, murdered their baby, Miguel in 2024.BBC News · 27 Oct, 13:24

In this story: Klevi Pirjani · Nivalda Pirjani · Miguel Pirjani · Court of Appeal · Alder Hey Children's Hospital · Ellie Reeves · Wirral · Liverpool Crown Court

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