A YOUNG mum accused of murdering her baby daughter with her pub bouncer lover began acting "mean" after the couple met, a court has heard.

       Frankie Smith, 20, and her girlfriend Savannah Brockhill, 28, are jointly charged with killing 16-month-old Star Hobson by punching or kicking her.

       2

       Frankie Smith, 20, left, and Savannah Brockhill, right, are accused of murdering Smith's 16-month-old daughter Star Hobson Credit: Facebook 2

       A witness claimed Smith was afraid of her partner Credit: Facebook

       The tot suffered "catastrophic" abdominal injuries when the main vein carrying blood to her heart from her legs and other organs was torn.

       She also suffered a split to her liver, a tear to her bowel and bruising on her lungs and pancreas during an alleged assault.

       A witness today told a jury that Smith, of Keighley in West Yorkshire, became "moody" after meeting Brockhill.

       "When she got with Savannah everything just went wrong," the witness, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the court.

       "She started acting differently.

       "It was like Savannah was controlling her, like she had something over her."

       Bradford Crown Court heard Star started suffering bruising to her face and neck after Smith started a relationship with Brockhill in November 2019.

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       The witness said she confronted Brockhill about the bruises.

       The defendant allegedly replied: "Babies fall."

       Jurors heard that when Star was first born, Smith would "love her and cuddle her".

       However, after the relationship began, she'd "shout" at her daughter instead, it's claimed.

       And the witness alleged Smith was frightened of her girlfriend.

       "I knew something was really wrong," the witness said.

       'SOMETHING WAS REALLY WRONG'

       "Frankie was scared of Savannah - really scared."

       Relatives noticed bruises on Smith's arms and legs, while she also once suffered a black eye, it was heard.

       On one occasion, it's alleged Brockhill put Smith into a "strangle hold" and threatened to choke her unconscious.

       The witness claimed Smith was "moody and mean" around Brockhill - but "fun and nice" when she wasn't there.

       "She was a good person when Savannah wasn't there, but when Savannah was there she was terrible," they said.

       Members of Smith's family contacted social services on a number of occasions after spotting injuries to the baby.

       TOT DIED IN 'ASSAULT'

       The witness said: "I knew Frankie would never, ever hit that baby.

       "[The family] have been in touch with social services a lot of times, telling them Star was getting hit."

       Prosecutors allege Star died on September 22 2020 from injuries which could only have been inflicted by Smith or Brockhill.

       The defendants, both from Keighley, deny murder.

       They have also pleaded not guilty to causing or allowing Star's death.

       The trial continues.