Star Hobson's great- grandad calls for 'a complete shake up' of children's services in Bradford
It's after 5 referrals were made to the authority in the 9 months leading to the 16-month-old's murder
Last updated 16th Dec 2021
Star Hobson's great- grandfather, David Fawcett is calling for change to happen within Bradford Council's children services.
Yesterday (15th December) Savannah Brockhill, Star's mum's partner, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 25 years for murdering 16 month old Star.
Frankie Smith, Star's mum was sentenced to 8 years for causing or allowing her death.
David Fawcett, Star's great grandfather and Frankie Smith's grandad, said:
"It needs an overhaul, because it keeps happening, and they keep saying they'll change it.
"We were just shocked, when they didn't come back to us after the referral, but even more shocked when we realised it was 5 times it was missed, I thought how can you miss it 5 times?
"If they'd had come and spoke to us I'd have felt better, I'd have said can you listen to us and what we have to say?
"It won't be just Star's case, many across the country will have been missed, unless it changes, it will keep happening.
"They need better training, listening to the people that have done the referrals and then taking action."
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During evidence, the court heard that the injuries which caused the toddler's death involved extensive damage to her abdominal cavity "caused by a severe and forceful blow or blows, either in the form of punching, stamping or kicking to the abdomen".
Mr MacDonald said Smith and Brockhill were the only adults in the flat at the time.
The prosecutor said investigations had found evidence on the little girl's body which meant that "in the course of her short life, Star had suffered a number of significant injuries at different times".
Mr MacDonald said there had also been two fractures to the toddler's right leg "caused by forceful twisting", which had been refractured as they healed.
He also described a fracture to the back of Star's skull, and bruising, "much of which is considered to be non-accidental in origin".
Prosecutors said she was "repeatedly physically assaulted over the weeks and months before her death".