Evil pair who murdered their 21-month-old daughter received £375,000 of taxpayers’ cash to fight their case
Beasts Kathryn Smith and ex-boyfriend Matthew Rigby were jailed for killing helpless Ayeeshia earlier this year
A PAIR of evil child killers received £357,000 of taxpayers' cash to help them fight their case in court, it emerged today.
Kathryn Smith, 23, launched a "brutal and sustained" assault on her 21-month-old daughter Ayeeshia after she pleaded: "Stop mummy, stop daddy".
The tragic tot suffered months of abuse at the hands of her mother but died after the monster mum stamped her to death as she lay surrounded by her toys on May 1, 2014.
Smith, of Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs., was jailed for life, of which she will serve a minimum of 24 years at Birmingham Crown Court in April.
Ex-boyfriend Matthew Rigby, of Bramcote, Nottingham, was cleared of murder but found guilty of allowing the death of a child and jailed for three years and six months.
Now, the Ministry of Justice revealed they handed Smith £157,472 in Legal Aid, which paid for her barrister and solicitor, after a freedom of information request.
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Meanwhile, Rigby's defence team cost the taxpayer £205,879.
Conservative MP for Uttoxeter Andrew Griffiths criticised the decision after their case with funded with a total of £357,351.
He said: "Legal Aid is an important part of the British judicial system that everybody has access to a lawyer and legal representation, and it is important remains.
"However, people will be shocked to see just how much money was spent defending these cruel people who committed such a heinous crime."
In total Kathryn Smith's solicitor cost £105,497, while her barrister received £45,974.
Rigby's solicitor cost £100,410 plus disbursements of £20,931, with his barrister receiving £84,536.
A spokesman from the Ministry of Justice said: "For the avoidance of any doubt, costs are paid to the lawyers involved in the case. Legal aid payments are not made to the defendants themselves.
"The above costs paid include VAT and disbursements, such as expenses incurred, which although paid by the Legal Aid Agency directly to the providers, are then paid to other parties involved in the case.
"Please note that the above figures are those which have been currently authorised by the Legal Aid Agency. Not all fees authorised have as yet been paid.
"Additionally, these figures are subject to change; as this trial has recently concluded billing has not yet been completed, therefore further claims are expected from some of the lawyers involved."
Smith is currently behind bars at Foston Hall in Foston and reports emerged in May that inmates launched a "revenge attack" on her.
A serious case review into Ayeeshia's death to be carried out by Derbyshire County Council has still yet to get underway after being delayed for "several months".
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