Lord Justice Jeremy Baker, sitting with Mr Justice Goose and Mr Justice Hilliard, ruled that the original minimum terms of 19 years for Klevi Pirjani and 15 years for Nivalda Pirjani, handed down in April 2026, significantly underestimated the aggravating factors in the case. Klevi Pirjani's sentence was raised to 21 years and six months, while Nivalda Pirjani will now serve 17 years and nine months. Miguel died in November 2024 after being taken to Alder Hey children's hospital with severe head injuries. He was found to have suffered 41 separate bone fractures across at least four separate incidents, including fractured ribs, legs and a sternum, reflecting long-standing physical abuse. Bill Emlyn Jones KC, for the Attorney General, said the fatal assault on 24 November 2024 involved 'a heavy blow, or series of blows, to the right side of his head'. The court described the couple's actions as 'routine' assaults that culminated in a 'particularly callous' murder. Sentencing judge Mr Justice Andrew Baker had earlier said the pair were 'in this together, encouraging each other' to attack their son. Rupert Bowers KC, for Nivalda Pirjani, argued the original sentence was 'of course' lenient but not outside the sentencing judge's reasonable discretion. Sarah Vine KC, for Klevi Pirjani, similarly said the term was lenient but not unduly so. Both parents watched proceedings by video link from prison and showed no reaction as the increased sentences were announced.
Court of Appeal increases sentences for parents who killed infant son Miguel
Original minimum terms of 19 and 15 years raised to 21.5 and 17.75 years after being deemed unduly lenient
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case reaffirms the role of the Court of Appeal in correcting sentences that may be too lenient, particularly in serious child abuse cases.
- It highlights the legal standards for considering aggravating factors in murder sentences.
- The outcome may influence future sentencing guidelines for violent crimes against children.
Background
The original sentencing in April 2026 followed the murder of 13-week-old Miguel, who died after days of assaults culminating in a fatal head injury. The Attorney General referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal, arguing they did not reflect the severity of the crime. The baby's injuries included multiple fractures from at least four separate assaults.
Key Perspectives
Attorney General Ellie Reeves: The original sentences did not 'meet the justice of this terrible case'. Bill Emlyn Jones KC (for the government): The fatal assault involved 'a heavy blow, or series of blows' and the abuse was long-standing. Rupert Bowers KC (for Nivalda Pirjani): The sentencing judge considered all relevant factors, and the term was not an error of principle. Sarah Vine KC (for Klevi Pirjani): The sentence was lenient but not unduly so.
What to Watch
- Whether the case prompts legislative or policy review of sentencing for child homicides.
- Potential implications for how courts assess joint responsibility in abuse cases.
- Public and professional reactions to the increased minimum terms.
Sources
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- Reports differThe original minimum terms were 19 years for Klevi Pirjani and 15 years for Nivalda Pirjani.The Independent UK: “minimum jail terms of 19 years and 15 years and three months respectively”
- Reports differThe original sentences were handed down in April 2026.The Independent UK: “During the original sentencing in March”
- SupportedThe Court of Appeal increased Klevi Pirjani’s minimum term to 21 years and six months and Nivalda Pirjani’s to 17 years and nine months.The Independent UK: “They increased Klevi Pirjani’s minimum tariff to 21 years and six months, and Nivalda Pirjani’s minimum term to 17 years and nine months.”
- SupportedThe Attorney General, Ellie Reeves, referred the original sentences as unduly lenient.The Independent UK: “The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves, challenged the sentences in April as "unduly lenient"”
- SupportedKlevi and Nivalda Pirjani were convicted of murdering their three-month-old son Miguel.The Independent UK: “two parents convicted of killing their three-month-old son”
- SupportedThe appeal judges said the original terms significantly underestimated the aggravating factors.The Independent UK: “We take the view that the resulting sentences significantly underestimated the aggravating factors”
- SupportedMiguel suffered 41 separate bone fractures across at least four incidents.BBC News: “Miguel was found to have suffered 41 separate bone fractures in at least four separate incidents.”
- SupportedBill Emlyn Jones KC said the fatal assault involved “a heavy blow, or series of blows, to the right side of his head”.BBC News: “Bill Emlyn Jones KC, for the Attorney General, said in written submissions that Miguel's death was caused by an assault by his parents on 24 November 2024, which involved "a heavy blow, or series of blows, to the right side of his head".”
- SupportedThe Court of Appeal described the assaults as “routine” and the murder as “particularly callous”.The Independent UK: “the couple subjected their son to escalating "routine" assaults resulting in his "particularly callous" murder.”
- SupportedRupert Bowers KC accepted that Nivalda’s sentence was “of course” lenient but argued the court should not interfere with the sentencing judge’s discretion.The Independent UK: “Rupert Bowers KC, representing Nivalda Pirjani, accepted in court that her sentence was "of course" lenient”
- SupportedSarah Vine KC argued that Klevi’s sentence was lenient but not unduly so.The Independent UK: “Sarah Vine KC, for Klevi Pirjani, also argued her client’s punishment was "undoubtedly lenient, but not unduly, and leniency in itself is not a vice".”
- SupportedBoth parents watched proceedings by video link from prison and showed no reaction when their sentences were increased.BBC News: “Klevi and Nivalda Pirjani, watching proceedings from HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire and HMP Styal in Cheshire respectively, showed no reaction as their sentences were increased.”
Correction
An earlier version of this story attributed the words 'undoubtedly lenient' to Rupert Bowers KC. Those words were Sarah Vine KC's; Bowers described his client's sentence as 'of course' lenient.