Jordan Hobson issued an emotional statement after Savannah Brockhill, 28, of Hawthorn Close, Keighley, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of 16-month-old Star. The toddler’s mother, Frankie Smith, 20 of Wesley Place, Halifax Road, Keighley, was handed an eight year sentence at Bradford Crown Court for causing or allowing her daughter’s death.

       Mr Hobson, a university student, split with Smith before she started a toxic relationship with Brockhill, a judge heard earlier this week.

       In a statement released on his behalf, Mr Hobson said he is “devastated” by the death of Star and added he “will never recover from the callous and cruel way in which Star was taken”.

       He said: "The horrific death of my beautiful baby daughter has left me devastated and I will never recover from the callous and cruel way in which Star was taken from me.

       "No sentence that a court can impose will ever bring back my precious daughter.

       "I would now request privacy so that I can start to grieve and begin to try and pick up the pieces of my life."

       Star was taken to hospital from the flat where she lived with Smith in West Yorkshire on September 22, 2020, but her injuries were "utterly catastrophic" and "unsurvivable", prosecutors told the court.

       Mrs Justice Lambert said Star's short life was "marked by neglect, cruelty and injury".

       The judge said a "fatal punch or kick" to Star inside Smith’s flat, caused the toddler to lose half the blood in her body and damaged her internal organs.

       Mrs Justice Lambert added Star was also found to have suffered two brain injuries, numerous ribs fractures, the fracture and refracture of her leg and a skull fracture.

       Sentencing Brockhill and Smith, Mrs Justice Lambert added: "She (Star Hobson) was 16-months-old when she was murdered.

       "Her short life was marked by neglect, cruelty and injury. She was murdered by you, Savannah Brockhill.

       "Frankie Smith, it was your role, as her mother, to protect Star from harm. You have been convicted by this jury of failing to protect her and, thereby, allowing her death."

       This is developing news story, more to follow.