One-month-old baby with every rib broken fighting for its life after man and woman are arrested for rape and battery

Police were last night trying to stop Facebook vigilantes causing civil unrest after a one-month-old baby boy was raped and battered so badly that his heart stopped.

Messages on the social networking site revealed plans for a vigil near the home of the infant, who is thought to have suffered one of Britain’s worst cases of child abuse.

The baby’s horrific injuries were said to have included a broken arm, a broken collarbone, punctured lungs and severe bruising. It was said all of his ribs were fractured.

Care: King's College Hospital where the baby is on a life support machine after suffering a heart attack

There was reportedly also a sexual injury and internal wounds, suggesting rape.

A man and a woman, from Gravesend, Kent, were arrested in connection with the incident. They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

One Facebook group called ‘Jail the scum who raped and beat a one-month-old baby in Gravesend’ contained several messages calling for the parents to be named over the alleged abuse.

One post read: ‘These people need to be locked up not given bail. They are scum.’ One local woman said: ‘We feel disgusted about this and we want to express our support for the child. The plan is to hold a vigil this evening.’

Suspects: The man and woman who were arrested over the alleged attack are both from Gravesend, Kent

The unnamed baby was in a critical condition when taken to a hospital near his home on Thursday, but last night he was ‘showing signs of improvement’ after being transferred to a London hospital. Police forensic experts have examined a house in Gravesend.

Neighbours said a man and a woman lived at the address with a newborn baby.

They were described as ‘nice people, normal and polite’.

Another neighbour said she heard ‘a loud commotion’ at the house on Thursday morning.