Mother jailed for life for murdering Ayeeshia Jane Smith

Burton and Uttoxeter MP Andrew Griffiths has questioned the Prime Minister about the death of Ayeeshia Smith, who was murdered by her mother.

Mr Griffiths was concerned that those on the serious case review panel for Ayeeshia's case were directly involved in the organisation's being investigated.

He asked David Cameron in PMQ's this afternoon whether he can make the panel more independent so that 'no other child suffers'.

This was Mr Cameron's response:

Ayeeshia Smith's family have appealed for her ashes to be returned to them after her mother was jailed for life.

Kathryn Smith, who was sentenced earlier today for murdering her 21-month-old daughter, allegedly threatened undertakers with prosecution if they did not give her Ayeeshia's ashes.

With Smith now behind bars, the family do not know where the toddler's ashes are.

Reading a statement after the setencing, family spokesman Robert Wade said: "After AJ was cremated we were advised by the authorities to leave the ashes with the undertakers until the case was over, which we did.

"Ms Smith's solicitor advised the undertakers that the ashes were to be returned to her and if they wasn't returned to her the undertakers would face prosecution, so they were handed back to Ms Smith.

"Now the case is over Ms Smith will be facing a prison sentence and we have no idea where the ashes are at all and we would like them returned so that the family can finally lay AJ to rest."

Matthew Rigby has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for causing or allowing the death of Ayeeshia Jane Smith.

Her mother and Rigby's partner, 23-year-old Kathryn Smith from Nottingham killed Ayeeshia at their family home in Burton-upon-Trent in May 2014.

She has been jailed for life, to serve a minimum term of 24 years behind bars.

A mother from Nottingham who was found guilty of the murder of her 21-month-old toddler has been jailed for life.

23-year-old Kathryn Smith from Nottingham killed Ayeeshia Jane Smith at their family home in Burton-upon-Trent in May 2014.

She will serve a minimum term of 24 years.

Following the Ayeeshia verdicts, Andrew Stokes, Interim Chair of Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board, said: “The death of a child is a tragedy and I’d like to express my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew AJ.

“All the agencies involved with the family have contributed to a serious case review which has been held to identify any lessons that can be learned.

“New information has emerged during the criminal trial which we need to consider before we can publish the findings of the review to ensure it is as robust and fully informed as possible.

“It is important that we take the time to look at this thoroughly to ensure we maintain the highest possible standards to safeguard children and young people across Derbyshire.”