Parents jailed for murder after ‘battering’ three-month-old son they labelled ‘monster’
Miguel Pirjani, three-months-old, was murdered by his parents in what the judge labelled a ‘act of appalling violence’ even though they declared their ‘love’ for him
A couple who brutally “battered” and murdered their three-month-old baby have been jailed for life.
Miguel Pirjani was found unresponsive by emergency services at his home in Percy Road, Seacombe, Wirral, and five days later in November 2024, he died.
Despite his parents, Klevi and Nivaldi Pirjani, claiming he just stopped breathing, scans taken at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital showed the infant had suffered a fractured skull among other fractures in the previous weeks.
Klevi Pirjani previously told Liverpool Crown Court that he was “the best dad in the world” who “loved his son” but the evidence presented to the jury was chilling.
The former chef and digger driver allegedly called Miguel a “monster” and “it”.
The husband and wife turned against each other in court, with the mum even alleging that the dad had “lost control” before headbutting and kicking their son.
Mr Justice Jay told the defendants: “Miguel was 13-and-a-half weeks old when he died. You were his parents and you killed him by what must have been an act of appalling violence, intending him to suffer really serious harm. It is possible that you intended to kill him to be rid of him, but I am not sure that was your intention.”
And the judge added: “What exactly happened to Miguel that morning remains the guilty secret of a warped relationship where you came first to one another. The interest of Team Klevi Nivalda came first.”
“His death was a battered baby death at both of your hands. The jury were sure it was encouraged by the other of you, both of you intending Miguel to suffer at least grievous bodily harm. The fatal assault was not a one off incident that came out of the blue.”
Merseyside Police said following the sentencing: “Today, Monday March 23, the Wirral couple convicted of murdering their baby boy have been jailed. On November 24, 2024 we received a report that three-month-old Miguel Pirjani was found unresponsive at a house in Seacombe.
“The infant was admitted to Alder Hey Hospital and medical tests confirmed he had a fractured skull and rib fractures. Sadly, despite the efforts of medical professionals, Miguel was sadly pronounced deceased five days later, on 29 November 2024.
“His parents Klevi Pirjani and Nivalda Santos Pirjani were initially arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm and Section 18 wounding with intent. However, following their son’s death, they were subsequently charged with murder, Section 18 assault and causing or allowing the death of a child.”
Klevi Pirjani was jailed for life with a minimum term of 19 years. Nivalda Santos Pirjani was also jailed for life but with a minimum of 15 years and three months behind bars. These terms will be reduced to take account of the terms they have spent behind bars to date, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Tributes were left outside the baby’s home following his death (Image: Liverpool Echo)
Klevi Pirjani called 999 just before noon on November 24, the court heard, reporting that his son was unresponsive
Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, said: “He told the operator that Miguel just stopped breathing. Curiously, he referred to his son as it. ‘It just stopped breathing’. It is a matter for you to consider in due course as to whether this was a product of distress on his part, a language barrier or an unintended indication of his attitude towards Miguel.”
A CT scan revealed a crack in the baby’s skull and brain bleeding, alongside fractures to his right collarbone, left upper arm and left shin. Miguel also suffered bruising to the left side of his head.
These broken bones were determined to be of different ages, with Mr Wright stating: “The inevitable conclusion to be drawn from the injuries was that Miguel had been subjected to a course of conduct in which serious and obvious injuries had been sustained.”
Following his admission to hospital the three-month-old remained unconscious in the following days, with his injuries deemed “irreversible”. He stayed on life support until November 29, 2024, when he passed away after artificial ventilation was withdrawn.
Mr Wright continued during the prosecution’s opening: “At the time of his passing, his mother was permitted to hold his hand. Whilst present, she was heard to say ‘I should have protected you’.”
During the trial, Rupert Bowers, who represented Navalda Pirjani, referred to a text message, sent from Klevi Pirjani to his wife prior to Miguel’s death, in which he said “I’m feeding your bishe”. The defendant insisted that the final word meant “hero” in Albanian, but it was suggested to him: “It means monster. It means beast. I’m feeding your beast.”
Pirjani however said “no, that’s not true”. Mr Bowers then alleged that he “didn’t like the fact that Miguel was born with abnormalities and difficulties” to which he replied: “How can you say I didn’t like Miguel if I never missed an appointment? How didn’t I care for my son?”
Mr Bowers continued: “You cared so well for your son that you have no idea how he came by 41 fractures and suffered a fatal blow to the head. Is that right?”
Pirjani responded: “I don’t know where his injuries came from. Of course I loved my son. I did love my son. I loved him.”
Bowers argued that Nivalda Pirjani played a “subordinate” and “effectively encouraging role”, characterising her as “a submissive individual, highly suggestible and abnormally compliant”.
On behalf of Klevi Pirjani, Ms Vine said: “His early life was painful and difficult, born in Albania in 1988.
“His father was killed in the civil unrest in 1997. Six months, later his infant sister died. He was no more than nine years old at the time. Whether there is any connection, it is difficult to say. Klevi Pirjani will not see his liberty for many years.”
