Opening the case for the prosecution, Paul Greaney QC told the jury Hamzah died on 15 December 2009 when he was four-and-a-half years old.

But the barrister said the boy's remains were found 21 months later in clothing intended for a baby aged six to nine months.

“What they discovered disturbed even hardened officers”

Paul Greaney QC
These clothes still fitted him because his growth had been stunted, Mr Greaney said.

"It had been stunted because he was malnourished over a lengthy period and that state of affairs resulted in his death. In short, he starved to death.