A TODDLER who had more than 40 sewing needles pushed into his body by his step-father was airlifted to a specialist hospital for emergency treatment yesterday.

A toddler's step-father today admitted sticking more than 40 needles deep into the boy's body, claiming it was a religious ritual.

A two-year-old Brazilian boy has had 50 metal sewing needles inserted into his body as part of an apparent black magic ritual.