An Islington couple were given six-month prison terms – over the death of their four-year-old son.

Christadoulos and Kyriacou Nicola, of Wynford Road, escaped murder charges.

The boy died from a ruptured bladder and had severe bruising.

But they could only be charged with assault “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury” at Clerkenwell Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Edward Robey said: “You are both very lucky not to be charged with murder.

“I am quite satisfied in my own mind it was the result of your actions that caused the death of the child.

“You treated it in such a brutal way that I cannot find words to express what I think about you.”

Imposing the sentence, Mr Robey said he could not give a greater term, but added: “I wish I could.”