LESSONS must be learned following the tragic death of Keighley tot Star Hobson.

That was the message today after Savannah Brockhill was found guilty of murdering the 16-month-old child at a flat in the town.

Star's mother, Frankie Smith, was cleared of murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter, but was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of her daughter.

After the verdicts were announced, following an eight-week trial, Bradford Council accepted that opportunities to "better protect" Star were missed and lessons needed to be learned.

Bradford Crown Court had heard that Brockhill, 28, of Hawthorn Close, Keighley, inflicted a fatal blow – or blows – through a punch, kick or stamp, to Star’s abdomen.

The violent attack took place last September at the Wesley Place flat Smith, 20, shared with her daughter.

Catastrophic and unsurvivable abdominal injuries were caused to Star.

Her tragic death and the evidence heard in the unfolding court case have shocked the community.

Keighley's town mayor, Councillor Julie Adams, said: "It is a real tragedy, especially coming so soon after the terrible case of young Arthur in Birmingham.

"What poor Star must have gone through just doesn't bear thinking about. It's simply horrendous.

"My thoughts are with the grandparents and extended family of Star at this time."

Brockhill and Smith are due to be sentenced tomorrow afternoon, and Cllr Adams said she hoped the sentences would reflect their "horrific" crimes.

Keighley East district councillors Caroline Firth, Doreen Lee and Malcolm Slater said the whole community had been deeply affected.

In a joint statement, they said: "Star’s death and this court case have clearly been incredibly traumatic for people who loved Star and for the wider community.

"There has been a huge outpouring of grief, horror and dismay at the way Star was treated and eventually killed, cutting a beautiful child’s life so cruelly short.

"It is clear all services involved need to look closely at what lessons must be learned. Our thoughts remain with Star and everyone who loved her."

Keighley MP, Robbie Moore, said what happened to young Star was "vile and disgusting".

"We heard in court from her great grandmother how Star changed from being a happy child to seeming ‘depressed’ in the months leading up to her horrific death," he said.

"We also heard in court how there were numerous referrals made to social services, but yet nothing was done about it. A referral made by Star’s own great grandmother was closed without her even being told about it.

"Whilst the ultimate responsibility lies with Star’s evil killer, and the serious and vile neglect from her mother, questions must now be asked as to why action was not taken.

"Bradford Council bosses should hang their heads in shame. Children’s services are not fit for purpose and I have no confidence they ever will be under the council’s current leadership."

He is calling for the resignation of council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe and chief executive Kersten England.

In a statement, the Bradford Partnership-Working Together to Safeguard Children – which includes Bradford Council – said a child's life had been "cut cruelly short" and it was sorry for Star's death.

It added: "As agencies which have a joint responsibility to protect children, this has been at the forefront of our minds.

"Any death of a child – wherever it happens – is one death too many, but this happened in our community and it has had a devastating impact.

"We are very aware as partners that there is much that we need to learn from this case. We have already put in place actions that will improve our practice so that we learn those lessons. But we need to fully understand why opportunities to better protect Star were missed.

"We offered support and assistance to Star’s family for what we believed their needs to be, at that given time, but we all deeply regret that not all the warning signs were seen that could have led to firmer statutory enforcement action.

"A Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review is being written by an independent author. This is almost complete and, now the trial is concluded, the review will be finalised and published next month. It will provide partners and colleagues in our district and across the country with clear recommendations so we can better protect children in our care."

The NSPCC says anyone with concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child should come forward.

A spokesperson added: "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.

"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."

The helpline can be reached on 0808 8005000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.