Nightclub bouncer and security guard Savannah Brockhill, 28, was sentenced alongside Star's mother, Frankie Smith, 20, who was handed an eight-year term for causing or allowing her daughter's death. The 16-month-old had been forced to endure "a life without love" before she succumbed to the vile pair's catalogue of abuse. She died after suffering injuries "akin to a car crash victim" when Brockhill stamped on her tiny stomach with such force the child haemorrhaged half her blood as the blow ripped the largest vein in her body.
Social workers and police failed to heed five warnings from desperate family and friends, with concerns dismissed as homophobic by staff who claimed the whistle-blowing was "malicious" due to disapproval over the pair's lesbian relationship.
Smith, 20, had been facing a maximum of 14 years behind bars for allowing her daughter's death, but escaped with a lesser tariff and could walk free in just four years. Brockhill smirked during the sentencing hearing at Bradford Crown Court, having waved and made a heart gesture to her family as she entered the court.
Judge Mrs Justice Lambert slammed the pair for tarnishing Star's short life with "neglect, cruelty and injury". She added: "She was murdered by you Savannah Brockhill. Frankie Smith, it was your role as her mother to protect Star from harm."
A safeguarding practice review has been launched into Star's death, which comes weeks after the horrific murder of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, who was fatally tortured by his stepmother Emma Tustin and father Thomas Hughes.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to bring in "Arthur's Law" so evil child killers will die behind bars. He also promised direct action against failing local authorities to stop such "shocking and heartbreaking" tragedies.
But in a chilling echo of Arthur's death, there were numerous missed opportunities to save Star. Star's father Jordan Hobson, her babysitter, grandmother, paternal great-grandfather and great grandparents all raised the alarm. But each time the case was closed without action.
A heartbreaking victim impact statement was read to the court by Star's greatgrandmother Anita Smith, 70, who warned social workers: "Do you want another Baby P?" in reference to the tragic 2007 case of 17-month-old Peter Connelly in London. Anita added: "Her death was devastating. Her pain was so unnecessary when we were all here, willing to look after her."
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SADLY the case of Star Hobson is very far from being isolated and follows the case of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, who died after a "campaign of appalling cruelty" during lockdown.
Many local authorities will have cases of child cruelty resulting in death. These appear year after year but they are less widely reported.
Typically these occur while the child is in the care of parents, or friends or partners.
Nor is this a modern phenomenon.
Back in 1945 the government commissioned a report into the brutal death of Dennis O'Neill at the hands of his foster father, a Shropshire farmer. And more recently we have had Victoria Climbie, a child living in Haringey.
The then government's response was the Children Act 2004, which set up a new system to prevent child abuse.
However, no amount of law making can make up for robust and thorough safeguarding. The Victoria Climbie Inquiry identified failings not just in social services but also other agencies including the NHS.
Now all involved are duty bound to share information and have a frank discussion about those believed to be in danger.
So what went wrong in Star's case? We know that the case was closed three times after concerns were raised. There were also reports on social media and CCTV showing Star actually being abused.
All this raises questions as to whether social workers looked beneath the surface of what they put in their reports.
Malcolm Johnson is a member of Lime Solicitor