Star Hobson's mother and killer in almost £500,000 legal aid

Star died from catastrophic abdominal injuries caused by blunt force trauma on September 22, 2020. She was 16 months old.

Savannah Brockhill, 29, 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.

From left, Frankie Smith and Savannah Brockhill. West Yorkshire Police (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Meanwhile, Smith, 21, 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.

Following a Freedom of Information Request from a national newspaper, it was revealed that a total of £489,429 costs to Smith and Brockhill’s legal teams have been paid.

The Ministry of Justice explained that criminals, such as Brockhill and Smith, do not receive any legal aid directly, but the money is instead sent to their legal teams.

Star Hobson's great-grandparents, David Fawcett and Anita Smith, marked the second anniversary of her death last month. Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

David Fawcett, Star’s great-grandfather, says he is shocked by the expense, which he added could have been affected by the length of Brockhill and Smith’s trial last year.

He said: “It’s a shocking figure really.

“I know that the trial went on for a long time and it’s a lot of money. That amount of money is ridiculous.

“I’m in shock at the figure. She (Brockhill) should have pleaded guilty from the word go.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Criminals don’t get a penny of legal aid, payments are means tested and sent directly to solicitors and barristers who represent them to ensure a fair trial.

“Without legal representation, criminals could argue their trial was unfair and convictions could be quashed.”

Meanwhile, Bradford Council’s leadership must be held to account over failings in the lead-up to the death of 16-month old Star Hobson, ministers were told last week.

A cross-party group of MPs has written to Education Secretary Kit Malthouse to tell him they are “extremely concerned” about whether Kersten England, chief executive of Bradford Council, is up to the job of improving children’s services in the district.

But Bradford Council has argued it is making the required changes “at pace”.

It comes ahead of the launch of a new children’s trust in Bradford next year – funded by the Council but run as a separate entity from April.

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