Star Hobson murder: Frankie Smith's sentence increased to 12 years

The mother of murdered toddler Star Hobson has had her sentence for causing or allowing her daughter's death increased to 12 years.

Frankie Smith, 20, was handed an eight-year term at Bradford Crown Court in December.

Attorney General Suella Braverman said this was "unduly lenient" and referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal.

Three senior judges considered the case and extended the original term by four years.

A seven-week trial heard Star had endured a campaign of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Smith and her partner, Savannah Brockhill, 28, who was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for the toddler's murder.

The original sentencing hearing was told Star was "caught in the crossfire" of the pair's toxic relationship, resulting in her death at 16 months old from "catastrophic" blunt-force injuries.

As she delivered the Court of Appeal's ruling, Lady Justice Sharp said Smith's original sentence was unduly lenient because it "did not reflect the overall seriousness of the offending".

She said Smith had shown a "deliberate disregard" for her daughter's welfare and had failed to take any steps to protect her, treating the toddler with "callous indifference", cruelty and neglect.

She said Smith had failed to contact the police or social services, seek medical attention or help from family members - some of whom had reported their concerns to social services after seeing Star with bruises.

Star was "particularly vulnerable due to her very young age", the judge said, and Smith had been a neglectful parent who had remained in the relationship with Brockhill for her own "selfish" gains.

Sitting alongside Mr Justice Sweeney and Mr Justice Jeremy Baker, she said the sentencing judge had been wrong to hand Smith a lesser sentence based on mitigation such as being a victim of domestic abuse and the fact she had lost her daughter.

"In our judgment no less a sentence than 12 years would meet the justice of this case," Mrs Justice Sharp said.

Tom Little QC, representing the Attorney General's Office, told the court the defendant had participated in "degradation of Star and sadistic behaviour".

"This was not a case where the offender was so racked with guilt and pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity," he said.

Mr Little further argued Star's vulnerability and a delay in calling 999 on the day of her death were not taken into account by sentencing judge Mrs Justice Lambert.

Smith's barrister Zafar Ali QC said it was "simply incorrect" to say she was not remorseful, and that she "broke down several occasions during the crown's case in the trial".

He said the case had been "permeated by domestic violence" and instances of physical abuse against Smith by Brockhill, whom he described as "a very intimidating character".

Speaking before the hearing, Star's great-grandfather David Fawcett said: "It doesn't matter what sentence she gets, it'll never bring Star back."

He told BBC News he had been visiting Smith in prison and was the only family member who had visited recently.

"I've been to see Frankie last Sunday and she's not doing good," he said.

His partner Anita Smith, who made one of the five referrals to social services, was still devastated over Star's loss, along with the rest of the family, he said.

"Anita says she'll never be able to face seeing Frankie and can never forgive her. She says she could've got away from the situation."

Hollie Jones, who would regularly babysit Star and made the first referral in January 2020, said she was pleased with the outcome.

"No sentence will feel like justice but I'm glad that it's been increased and I'm happy with the sentence she's got," she said.

The Attorney General welcomed the judge's decision and said: "This is a tragic and extremely upsetting case and my thoughts are with all those who loved Star Hobson.

"This case involved prolonged and multiple cruelty and neglect, deliberate disregard, and a failure to take any steps to protect or seek assistance for her before and after her murder."

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or send video here.