After Star Hobson’s family attacked the sentence, the Attorney General was urged to reconsider it.     

Star’s mother Frankie Smith (20 years old) was only sentenced to eight years. This means she may be released in just four years. A judge reduced her sentence in order to compensate for her ‘burden’ knowing that she had a major role in the death her 16-month old daughter.  

Savannah Brockhill was Smith’s 28-year-old girlfriend. She was sent to prison for at least 25 years. For murdering a child, a life sentence is mandatory After being attacked in her home in Keighley West Yorkshire in September 2013, she died from bleeding to death. 

Gillian Keegan (Health minister) suggested that Attorney General Suella braverman refer the case to Court of Appeal in order for Star’s mother to be resentenced. 

LBC was told by Ms Keegan that Smith’s sentence did not sound right. She added that Smith’s short term didn’t seem fair.

Star’s family last night condemned the “staggeringly weak” sentences and asked the Attorney General for a review of the case under the unjustly lenient sentencing system. 

According to a spokesperson of the Attorney General’s Office, they have confirmed receiving a request that the sentences be reviewed and authorized law enforcement officers. The case must be considered and decided within 28 days of the original terms being given.

Frank Smith, age 68, Star’s great-grandfather said that Star hoped her killers would “rot in jail” and then asked Star: Is that Star’s entire life worth? Frankie should be released in just four years. How is that justice?  

Savannah Brockhill

Frankie Smith

Star Hobson’s parents blasted Savannah Brockhill (left), Frankie Smith’s “staggeringly mild sentences” and asked for Britain’s Chief Legal Advisor to reconsider their punishment

Star's mother Frankie Smith, 20, was given just eight years in prison - meaning she could be out in four - after a judge reduced her sentence to account for the 'burden' of knowing she played a significant role in the death of her 16-month-old daughter

Star’s mother Frankie Smith (20 years old) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. This means she may be released in just four years. A judge reduced her sentence because she knew she had a major role in Star’s death at 16 months.

16-month-old Star Hobson who died from "utterly catastrophic" injuries at her home in Keighley, West Yorkshire

Star Hobson, 16 months old, died after suffering ‘utterly devastating’ injuries in her Keighley home.

TIMELINE OF STAR HOBOSON’S SHORT LIFE

Star Hobson was just 16-months old when Star was murdered at her Keighley home, West Yorkshire. Below are some key moments in her short existence:

2019

May 21,Star Hobson is born

November: Savannah Brockhill and Frankie Smith start a relationship.

2020

January 23, 2009 – Holly Jones, Smith’s friend makes her first contact with the social services to raise concerns over domestic violence and time spent caring for Star. Star is visited by police and social workers, but there are no complaints.

Star moves to Baildon in Bradford with David Fawcett, her great-grandparents. Star has been told by Smith that she is splitting with Brockhill.

April 26, 2006 – Anita Smith takes Star from her house and she moves with Brockhill and Smith to Keighley.

May 4, Anita Smith contacts social service after being told of Brockhill’s’slam-choking Star.

June – David Fawcett posted a photo of Star with bruises and captioned it on Facebook with the caption “From this to that in five weeks,”

June 21: Star’s father Jordan Hobson contacts social services. Star is taken to the hospital by police. Smith claims that her daughter hit her face with a coffee table.

June 23, 2009 – A friend from the Smith family calls social services to voice concerns.

August 14th – Anita Smith, David Fawcett, and Frankie Smith will see Star and Frankie for the final time.

August 28th – David Fawcett gets a video of Star bruised, and Brockhill confronts it.

September 2, 2009 – Frank Smith, another Star’s great-grandfather, calls social services to report on the video of the bruises that were seen on Star. Unannounced visits are made by social workers.

September 15th – The case is closed by social services after the conclusion of the malicious referral.

September 22, 2012 – Star, who was seriously hurt at Wesley Place in Keighley and later dies in hospital.

2021

December 14, 2015 – After a Bradford Crown Court trial, Brockhill was convicted for Star’s murder and Smith of permitting or causing the death of the toddler.

He told the Sun that Brockhill, a former bouncer who beat the defenceless toddler, ultimately deserved the death penalty. 

Frank is one of five close relatives and friends that whistleblowers and raises concerns about Star’s treatment and the bruises she received. Star was 16 months old at the time. 

He declared: [Frankie] watched her child die. To cover up her own and Brockhills’ tracks, she lied multiple times. 

They both should be imprisoned. It’s disgusting.’ 

Ms Keegan today, the health minister, stated that “it’s an astonishing, shocking case. I mean, quite unbelievable. Poor Arthur (Labinjo Hughes) is another example. This is just incredible.

“Obviously, the judge and jury have made their… sentence passed recently, but you know, I suppose the Attorney General also has this power. I’m not sure.

She continued, “It does not fit in my remit, but it fits into hers (the Attorney general’s), so she will be having those discussions.”

According to a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s Office, the request was made for the sentences to be reviewed under the scheme of unduly lenient sentence.

“The law enforcement officers are allowed to examine the case for 28 days after sentencing and take a decision.”

Star’s death and her treatment during months of psychological abuse and assaults have been the subject of national controversy, especially since it happened so close to the Arthur Labinjo Greenes case.

After being convicted in the Solihull murder of six year old Solihull boy, Emma Tustin was sentenced to life imprisonment with a term minimum of 29 years by Coventry Crown Court. The attorney general’s office already stated it would review Arthur’s sentence.

Thomas Hughes, the 29-year-old father of the boy, was sent to prison for 21 years.

Star’s greatgrandfather David Fawcett is leading inquiries into the reasons why the police and social services did not respond to five concerns raised by friends and family in the eight months preceding her death.

On Wednesday, at Bradford Crown Court, Brockhill was sentenced to prison, while Smith was sentencing Smith. Mrs Justice Lambert praised Star and his family for their support, but she had to dismiss them.

She said, “Those who loved Star are equally confused and angry as they are sad about all the things that have been lost.”

They were told by her that Star had been 16 months at the time she was killed. She was a victim of cruelty, neglect and injuries throughout her short life.

Savannah Brockhill, she murdered Savannah. Frankie Smith, Star was in danger because of your mother’s role.

Star suffered half of her blood loss due to the “fatal punch” or kick, according to the judge. Her internal organs were also damaged by Star’s punishment.

She stated that the force needed to cause these injuries had to have been immense, similar to forces involved in a road accident.

“Only you know both what caused that fatal assault. 

Frankie Smith, 20, did nothing to protect her own daughter Star from her girlfriend and on one occasion held her head underwater to stop her crying, the court heard

Frankie Smith (20) did not protect Star, her daughter, from her friend. She even held Star’s head under water to stop her screaming, according to the court.

Police released a harrowing picture of one of the bruises on Star's face that sparked calls to social services from family

Star suffered severe bruises from Star. Police have released graphic of Star’s face. This prompted family to call social services.

“The brutal attack that caused Star’s death is not an isolated one.”

Star also suffered multiple rib fractures and brain injuries.

“She was also treated with, at the very best, indifferent disregard by you two and on many occasions with outright cruelty.

Mrs Justice Lambert pointed at footage of Star, who was clearly in desperate need of sleep and fell off of her chair several times during her trial. She also landed dangerously on her head on the concrete floor.

Both defendants were filmed, she claimed.

“Those who have seen the evidence will wonder why someone would behave so badly towards a vulnerable young child, who deserves to be loved and cared for rather than neglected and abused.

“The answer is obvious to this question.

Star was caught up in your romance’s crossfire.

Star’s short-lived life was touched by the Bradford Partnership. It includes all agencies involved in Star’s protection.

According to the safeguarding partner, a review of the case will be published in the next month. However, it regrets that not all warning signs were detected.