A 20-year-old mother accused with her lover of killing her 16-month-old daughter by 'stamping on her abdomen' had 'disconnected' from her baby when the pair entered a relationship, a murder trial today heard.
Frankie Smith developed a 'strange and unhealthy obsession' with her new girlfriend Savanah Brockhill, 28, at the expense of her daughter, Star Hobson, a judge was told.
Smith and Brockhill are currently standing trial charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of the baby in their flat in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on September 22 last year.
Brockhill stated 'we're going down for murder' the day after Star died when the veins carrying blood back to her heart from her legs and organs of the abdomen had been torn, causing major blood loss, jurors were told.
Bradford Crown Court also heard on Wednesday how Smith's brother, Benjamin, became concerned for the baby's welfare after seeing a video showing bruises on her face.
Frankie Smith developed a 'strange and unhealthy obsession' with her new girlfriend Savanah Brockhill, 28, at the expense of her daughter, Star Hobson (pictured), a judge was told
Smith (left) and Brockhill (right) are currently standing trial charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of the baby in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on September 22 last year
Mr Smith said he was then left ‘fuming’ after seeing his sister out boozing a week later, having left Star with a baby sitter.
He told jurors: 'I was disgusted Star had just been dumped with a sitter again so they could go out drinking.'
He also agreed that his sister ‘could have done more to protect’ her baby during this period, while being cross-examined by Zafar Ali QC, defence counsel for Smith.
In his evidence, Mr Smith explained that he initially viewed his sister as a 'good' mother.
He said she had chosen to move with her baby to the house that he shared with his mother, Anita Smith, and her long-term partner, David Fawcett.
Mr Smith added: 'Frankie came down one day and said to Anita, "I need help, I can't have her". Anita said, "We'll have her, it's ok until you get yourself right".'
'We loved her. We adored her. Anita and her partner David were fantastic with her.'
However, he told the court that Frankie’s behaviour towards her child seemed to change as time went on and she was seemingly more interested in going go the pub than caring for her child.
The court heard how Anita referred Smith to social services on May 4, as her concern grew over the baby’s welfare.
Mr Smith told the court he was sent a Snapchat video by a friend on August 28, 2020, of Star displaying a set of injuries which made him feel ‘sick’.
He added: 'Star had bruising all round her ears, all-round her cheeks and down the side of her little face.
'I wasn't happy at all, I just wanted to go and get Star, [but] I got told I'd be done for kidnap if I did.'
Alicia Szepler, Smith's sister, also gave evidence at the trial on Wednesday.
A short time before Star's (pictured) death Smith's aunt Melissa Dalby took Smith shopping and whilst in the car Brockhill phoned to say Star was 'really ill' and was being sick
She told jurors that that 'everything changed' when the couple started dating. She said a 'disconnect' emerged between Smith and her baby daughter and the rest of the family.
Miss Szepler agreed when Mr Ali QC said:
