Dad devastated at death of Star
The father of Star Hobson, the 16-month-old baby girl who was brutally murdered by her mother’s girlfriend, has spoken of his “devastation” following the loss of his daughter.
JordanHobson,whoiscurrently studying at the University of Sunderland, revealed his anguish following the conclusion of the court case into Star’s death.
Hesaid:"Thehorrificdeath of my beautiful baby daughter hasleftmedevastatedandIwill never recover from the callous and cruel way in which Star was taken from me.
"No sentence that a court can impose will ever bring back my precious daughter. I would now request privacy so thatIcanstarttogrieveandbegintotryandpickupthepieces of my life."
During a seven-week trial, Bradford Crown Court heard the toddler endured a campaign of physical and psychological abuse.
Star bled to death on September 22, 2020, after suffering "catastrophic" injuries inflictedatthehandsofSavannahBrockhill,28,hermother's "violent-tempered" girlfriend.
Following the trial, Brockhill was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for murder. Star's mother, Frankie Smith, 20, was sentenced to eight years for causing or allowing her daughter’s death.
Speakingatthesentencing, judge Mrs Justice Lambert, said it was Brockhill's "fatal punch or kick", delivered with "the force of a car crash" that damaged Star's internal organs and caused deadly internal bleeding.
The court heard how the fatal attack was not a one-off incident, with numerous other injuries identified on Star’s body, including two brain injuries and various fractures to her skull, ribs and shinbone.
Sentencing Smith, Mrs
Lambert said, she had played "asignificantrole"inherchild's death,andhadfailedtocontact authorities when Brockhill's abuse had become apparent.
She added: "This is something you have to live with for the rest of your life.”
Smith’s grandfather, Frank Smith, said he thought his granddaughtershouldhavegot atoughersentenceandthathe hoped Brockhill "rots in hell".
Following the sentencing, theAttorneyGeneralhasbeen asked to review the sentences oftwowomenwhichwillbeexaminedundertheundulylenient sentence scheme.
The case has also further raised concerns about why SocialServicesfailedtointervene despite referrals.