Monster who beat and bit Wolverhampton boy, three, has jail sentence INCREASED

Kuzivakwasha Chigariro, from Wolverhampton, caused at least 28 injuries to the three-year-old child, including a serious arm fracture, burns and numerous bites and abrasions all over his body.

When the boy was eventually taken to hospital in July last year, he was in such distress and excruciating pain that he could only be examined under general anaesthetic, said Lady Justice Sharp on Friday.

MORE: Express & Star condemns 'pathetic' sentence originally handed to Chigariro

Chigariro even tried to claim in his defence that biting and beatings had been regarded as an acceptable form of discipline during the defendant's upbringing in Zimbabwe.

Grossly underweight and dehydrated, he has been left with disfiguring scarring on his face.

Several of the injuries were days old – the broken arm was untreated for so long it started to heal itself – when the boy's mother was finally persuaded to seek treatment for the child on July 10 last year, the day before his fourth birthday.

The distressed child was in so much pain he could not be properly checked until after surgery to mend the break in his arm.

Chigariro, 23, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for five years and four months in April at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

But today, Court of Appeal judges agreed with the Attorney General that the sentence was unduly lenient and increased it to eight years.

Lady Justice Sharp, sitting with Sir John Royce and Judge Picton, said Chigariro's conduct was tantamount to torture.

"This was an exceptionally serious offence on a very young and extremely vulnerable child," she said.

The court heard that Chigariro, who had no previous convictions, was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis and had shown remorse.

Speaking after the hearing, Attorney General Jeremy Wright said: "This is a particularly harrowing case.

"The lasting emotional and physical impact on this vulnerable child cannot be underestimated.

"I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has increased the sentence to reflect the severity of the offending following my referral under the unduly lenient sentence scheme."