THE heartbroken family of murdered toddler Star Hobson say they will never get over their loss as they mark the second anniversary of her death today.
Star died from catastrophic abdominal injuries caused by blunt force trauma. She was 16 months old.
READ MORE: Balloons and flowers surround Star Hobson's grave two years since her murder
Savannah Brockhill, 28, the girlfriend of Star's mother Frankie Smith, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of Star at their flat in Wesley Place Keighley, on September 22, 2020.
Meanwhile, Smith, 20, was initially jailed for eight years for causing, or allowing, her death following a trial at Bradford Crown Court in December last year.
But this eight-year sentence was quashed in March at the Court of Appeal, and extended to 12 years which she must serve in a Young Offender's Institution.
Star’s family has given an insight into the grief they still try to cope with on a daily basis.
They plan to take balloons and flowers to her resting place today to mark two years since her death.
David Fawcett, Star’s great-grandfather, says his family, including his partner, Star’s great-grandmother Anita Smith, will never get over the toddler’s death.
He said: “Some people said it will take time to get over, some other people said it is something you will never get over.
“We’re still struggling now. Anita has taken the worst of it. She cries every day over Star. She kisses a photo of Star on her fireplace first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Anita says she will never, ever get over it. She said ‘my heart broke and it will never be mended’
“Star lived with us for three months. Anita did everything for Star.
“On the second anniversary, we are taking some balloons and flowers to her resting place. Her birthdays and the anniversary of her death are when we try to make it a special time.
“I’m surrounded by pictures of Star in my flat. I watch videos of her.”
Mr Fawcett added he regularly visits Smith in a Young Offenders Institution, adding Brockhill has ‘smashed this family to smithereens’ as he recalls what happened in the months leading up to Star’s death.
He added: “Brockhill got into Frankie’s head and took Star away from us. Savannah was calling all of the shots. Things just got worse. We were absolutely devastated.
“We try to stick together as a family. I go to visit Frankie, I go twice a month.
“Frankie will be OK, then she will ring me and she is heartbroken. She loved her (Star). She can’t believe she got into this relationship and caused this.
“Me and Frankie were very close. We did things like cycling and strawberry picking together. When Brockhill came along, she got into her head. I begged her to get away.
“It’s just so sad. She just met the wrong person and turned all of our lives upside down.
“I can’t believe someone can do this and she (Brockhill) completely smashed this family to smithereens.
“Apparently Brockhill is walking around the prison she is in, walking about smirking, things like that.”
Star was described as absolutely adorable by Mr Fawcett, who adds he treasures the moments he had with her.
He said: “I miss her little character. She was eight or nine months when she came to live with us. She was absolutely adorable. She used to stare at me with those blue eyes.
“I couldn’t wait to get home to see her after work.
“If I could bottle those 11 weeks that she stayed with us, I would uncork that and love to be able to do that over and over again to re-live it. It was the best time of my life.”
Mr Fawcett also thanked well-wishers for their continued support since Star died.
A mural has been painted in the children’s play area in Roberts Park in Saltaire – a place Mr Fawcett and family took Star to play.
He said: “The people around us have been absolutely amazing. People from Australia have sent us money to buy flowers for Star’s birthday.
“People have been absolutely fantastic. The good people out there make you feel better.
“These people have kept me going really. These people have been absolutely amazing.”
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