By Emily Caulkett-
WEST Yorkshire Police (WYP) have been told there are lessons to be learnt following the death of Star Hobson – but no action has been taken against any officers.
Star, of Keighley, aged 16 months, died after suffering a cardiac arrest as a result of her injuries.
Savannah Brockhill, 28, has been found guilty of murdering Star Hobson on September 22, 2020. She was the girlfriend of Star’s mother, Frankie Smith.
Smith, 20, was cleared of murder and manslaughter but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of her daughter. Mother, Frankie Smith, 20, was jailed for 12 years for allowing her daughter’s death and Frankie’s partner
Star died from catasptrophic abdominal injuries inflicted in a vicious attack last year, sustaining a severe blow or blows from a punch, kick or stamp, causing the young child serious injuries.
Star had several fractured bones and broken ribs on the day she died. Her fatal injuries though were shown to be internal bleeding caused by severe and forceful blows either through punching, stamping or kicking her abdomen.
There were also healed fractures too, showing Star had been beaten time and time again. She became a baby often seen with bruises, that were dismissed by Smith and Brockhill as clumsy falls but defined by doctors as brutal attacks and they didn’t go unnoticed by Star’s wider family.
Social services were contacted on five occasions by concerns family members and close friends, but no action was ever taken.
The Bradford Partnership – Working Together to Safeguard Children said at the time: “We want to say first and foremost that we’re sorry for the death of Star.
The learning identified was made after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated how the force responded to two reports Star suffered injuries in the months before her death in September 2020.
The investigation concluded there was no indication any police officer may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence.
The IOPC began an independent investigation in October 2020 following a referral from WYP, due to the fact officers had contact with Star’s family prior to her death.
Their investigation was suspended while criminal proceedings took place until December 2021 and concluded in November 2022.
A Coroner decided on Monday, February 13, that a full inquest was not required.
The first report to WYP was made by Star’s father on June 21, 2020, after he received photographs of bruising to his daughter’s face while she was living with her mother and her mother’s partner.
After officers examined Star and held discussions with the WYP Safeguarding Unit and Children’s Social Care (CSC), it was decided that the child would be taken to a local hospital for a medical examination by a doctor, to ascertain the cause of the injuries.
The doctor who carried out the examination concluded the injuries were caused accidentally and she was returned to her mother.
A second report was made by Star’s father on August 31, 2020, after receiving a video showing bruising to his daughter’s face.
After an unsuccessful attempt by WYP officers to locate Star, her mother was contacted by telephone and informed WYP she would be returning the following day for a pre-arranged meeting with CSC. Following that meeting, CSC informed WYP that the injuries were thought to be accidental.
On September 22, 2020, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service responded to a call from Star’s home. Paramedics found Star to be unresponsive and took her to a local hospital, where she sadly died despite attempts to revive her.
Areas of learning for WYP.
Areas of learning for the force includes training for officers; recording intelligence and information; ensuring all roles within the Safe Guarding Unit are adequately resourced, information sharing between stakeholders; and how officers investigate and follow up all potential lines of enquiry.
Once the force’s response to the learning, the IOPC will then make a final decision on whether any statutory recommendations are required.
IOPC Regional Director Thea Walton said: “The circumstances of this case are shocking and profoundly disturbing, and I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Star’s family for their tragic loss.
“While our investigation found no evidence to suggest WYP caused Miss Hobson’s death, our investigation did highlight some considerable learning for WYP.
“That is why we have identified a number of recommendations which include a closer working relationship with CSC and a multi-agency approach moving forward.
“The responsibility for Star’s death lies squarely with the two women who have been sentenced and we hope that our recommendations will help ensure any potential future opportunities to safeguard children are not missed.”
For the investigation, the IOPC gathered a large volume of evidence which included telephone call recordings, police radio transmissions, body-worn video recordings, witness statements and relevant documents from the WYP criminal investigation.
They also obtained a large volume of statements from police and police civilian staff and liaised with and obtained the report completed by the National Children’s Safeguarding Review Panel.
WYP officers and civilian staff involved in the investigation were treated as witnesses.
Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “We welcome the Independent Office for Police Conduct recommendations and have consulted and engaged with them throughout the process.
“As the report highlighted, no criminal or disciplinary proceedings were taken against any of our officers, and all staff and officers were treated as witnesses throughout the investigation.
“We have already made significant progress in the areas that have been highlighted in the report and are working with partner agencies to implement them.
“The death of Star Hobson was a tragic case which has had a profound impact on the local community. Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Star’s family.
“Protecting vulnerable children is a top priority for West Yorkshire Police and we are committed to working together with partners to improve our practices in the safeguarding of children.”
Timeline of Star’s life
In the nine months leading up to Star’s death, several referrals were made to social services. Here are some of the key moments in her short life:
2019
May 21 – Star Hobson is born
November – Savannah Brockhill and Frankie Smith begin a relationship.
2020
January 23 – Smith’s friend Holly Jones makes the first contact with social services over concerns about domestic violence and how much time she is left looking after Star. Police and social workers visit Star but no concerns are raised.
Early February – Star goes to live with her great-grandparents, David Fawcett and Anita Smith at their home in Baildon, Bradford, after Smith says she has split up with Brockhill.
April 26 – Star is removed from Anita Smith’s house by her mother and taken to live with Smith and Brockhill in Keighley.
May 4 – Anita Smith contacts social services after she is told about Brockhill “slam-choking” Star.
June – David Fawcett posts a picture of Star with bruises on Facebook alongside a happier shot and with the caption “From this to this in five weeks, what’s going on Frankie?”
June 21 – Star’s father, Jordan Hobson, contacts social services. Police take Star for a hospital examination. Smith says her daughter had hit her face on a coffee table.
June 23 – Another friend of the Smith family contacts social services with concerns.
August 14 – David Fawcett and Anita Smith see Frankie and Star for the last time.
August 28 – David Fawcett is sent a video of Star with bruises and confronts Brockhill.
September 2 – Another of Star’s great-grandfathers, Frank Smith, contacts social services after seeing video of bruises on the youngster’s face. Social workers make an unannounced visit.
September 15 – Social services closes the case after concluding the referral to be malicious.
September 22 – Star is seriously injured at the flat in Wesley Place, Keighley, and dies later in hospital.
2021
December 14 – Following a trial at Bradford Crown Court Brockhill is convicted of Star’s murder while Smith is convicted of causing or allowing the toddler’s death.
Questions remain as to why no action has been taking against any of the social workers who failed to take complaints about the baby’s killer seriously.
Apologies have been made on behalf of the failing social workers, but this is just not good enough
The Bradford Partnership – Working Together to Safeguard Children have been contacted for comment