A judge has referred a sentence given to the mother of murdered baby Star Hobson for review by an appeals court, as vile Savannah Brockhill, Smith’s partner who killed star after their trial at Bradford Crown Court last month.
Frankie Smith was sentenced to just eight years in prison for her role in the killing of 16-month-old star Hobson, who died from head injuries inflicted by Brockhill on 22 September 2020.
The vicious mother of Star Hobson, who was murdered by her boyfriend in 2016, could face an enhanced sentence as her case is being referred to the Court of Appeal to determine whether it was excessively lenient.
The Attorney General, Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, has referred the sentence of Frankie Smith to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
Speaking about the case, the Attorney General said: “This is a tragic and extremely upsetting case and my thoughts are with all those who loved Star Hobson. This vulnerable and innocent child was subjected to continued physical abuse, and her mother, Frankie Smith, allowed it to happen.”
“I have carefully considered the details of this case, and I concluded that I can refer Frankie Smith’s sentence to the Court of Appeal as I believe it is unduly lenient.”
“However, I have concluded that I cannot refer Savannah Brockhill’s sentence. I can only challenge a sentence if it is not just lenient but unduly so, such that the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence. The threshold is a high one, and the test was not met in this case.”
“Savannah Brockhill was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years before being considered for parole. As the Sentencing Judge remarked, 25 years is a minimum and she may serve longer. In my opinion, that sentence is not unduly lenient.”
The appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal at a later date.
It comes after Brockhill, who tortured and murdered the little one, is alleged to have told horrified fellow inmates: “I’ve buried three more babies”.