Star Hobson’s heartbroken grandad took own life on cruel daughter Frankie’s birthday after sending card to prison

THE heartbroken dad of murdered Star Hobson’s cruel mum killed himself on her birthday after sending a card to her prison cell which read: “You look after yourself and I’ll look after the baby.”

Andrew Smith, 50, took a pills overdose in June as he struggled to come to terms with what his daughter, Frankie, had done.

His dad, Frank, 68, was among five people who contacted social services with concerns over the treatment of little Star.

Frank told The Sun: “He had a handprint on his window from the baby and never washed it off. He couldn’t handle it and so he did it on Frankie’s birthday.

Star’s evil killer and mum were jailed today…read the full story here

“He sent her a card in prison and wrote, ‘You look after yourself and I’ll look after the baby’. It’s been devastating.

“When they found him, Star’s coat was at the side of him. My son did what he did and had 50 years of life, that baby had only a few months.”

Frank, of Bradford, said Smith had vowed to take her own life in a prison letter she sent to dad Andrew before he committed suicide.

He added: “It’s hard to believe and I can’t take it in. It’s broken me. You put your trust in the authorities to do something and they let you down. I can see why people take the law into their own hands.

“Whatever Frankie gets she deserves.

“They’ve been called animals but not even animals do this to their own.”

Smith was cleared of murder but convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child yesterday.

Her partner Brockhill looked sullen as she was found guilty of murder.

A safeguarding practice review has now been launched into Star’s death.

There were five opportunities for the authorities to save the youngster but the family’s concerns were ignored by social workers and police.

Boris Johnson today vowed that action will be taken to stop such tragedies in future.

The PM said: “What happened to Star Hobson is shocking and heartbreaking.

“We must protect children from these barbaric crimes and ensure lessons are learned.”

MISSED CHANCES

Leader of Bradford Council, Susan Hinchcliffe, said a review is under way into agencies’ contact with the family.

She added: “Star was let down and we all want to know if anything could have been done differently.”

The Department for Education said today Star’s death was “deeply disturbing” and it would “not hesitate” to remove children’s services control from Bradford Council “if necessary”.

A review will also feed in the national inquiry into Arthur’s death.

An NSPCC spokeswoman said: “Star Hobson’s young life was cut brutally short and it is appalling that she was harmed by the very people who should have been keeping her safe.

“Star was subjected to horrific cruelty and violence over several months that no child should ever have to experience.

“This awful case comes as many of us are still upset and horrified over what happened to Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

“We must do all we can to prevent cruelty and abuse to children. As always, we urge anyone who has concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child to contact the local authorities, the police or the NSPCC helpline.”

Smith and Brockhill will be sentenced today.