A man who “tortured” a 7-year-old boy over five months in an act of “unimaginable cruelty” has been jailed for 11 years.

The 34-year-old was convicted of wounding with intent and child cruelty after subjecting the youngster to such shocking crimes the judge said it has ruined the boys childhood, adding he will bear the scars throughout his adult life.

Ben Stevens, of no fixed abode, systematically tortured the boy in High Wycombe, forcing him drink his own vomit and faeces, punching him in the groin and causing skin damage.

The child lost his nasal septum after he was repeatedly pulled by it. He sustained multiple bruises to his arms, face and legs.

Det Sgt Malcolm Wheeler of TVP Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “This was a sustained and systematic torture of a vulnerable child, which resulted in some of the worst injuries I have seen on a child in my career.

“Stevens is deemed to be a dangerous individual and I hope the lengthy time that he will have to spend in prison and on licence will give him a chance to reflect on what he has done and the repercussions that will continue in that child’s life.

“The victim is now being supported and it is hoped that with the right help he can put those months of cruelty behind him and get on with his life.”

Stevens was sentenced on Wednesday in Aylesbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to the offences of wounding with intent and child cruelty.

He was sentenced to nine years for the charge of wounding with intent and two years for the charge of cruelty to a child. Both sentences are to be served consecutively.

As he was deemed a dangerous offender he had his sentence extended for a further three years, these will be served on an extended licence.

One of the shocking crimes heard in court revealed that on May 10, 2013, the boy sustained a deep burn to his hand after it was forced under a hot water tap that was found to be running at 82C.

It took four days for the child to be given adequate medical attention and when the child was hospitalised he required morphine to assist with the pain before plastic surgery for the full thickness burn.

In summing up, Her Honour Judge Kristina Montgomery said it was “an act of unimaginable cruelty toward a child...this once happy child was now profoundly disturbed....the defendant had ruined his childhood and in adulthood he will bear the scars.”

In mitigation Defence Counsel stated: “There was little he (Stevens) can say to mitigate circumstances. He feels extremely sorry and if he could turn back the clock he would..the only thing he could offer was his early guilty pleas.”