Mother jailed for life for murdering toddler Ayeeshia Smith

ITV News' Ben Chapman reports

Ayeeshia Smith's biological father has called for social services to be held to account over the murder of the toddler.

Kathryn Smith from Nottingham killed Ayeeshia Jane Smith at their family home in Burton-upon-Trent in May 2014 by stamping on her.

Smith was jailed today for life with a minimum term of 24 years.

Ayeeshia's father Ricky Booth's family made a statement outside court saying they are "frustrated" as they called social services several weeks before her death warning them she was at serious risk and showing them pictures of previous injuries.

A serious case review is under way after her death but the local MP has called for a public inquiry.

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."

A "devious, manipulative and selfish" mother who murdered her 21-month-old daughter has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years.

Kathryn Smith, aged 23, was also found guilty of child cruelty, with "happy and smiley" Ayeeshia Smith suffering months of "savage" violence before being killed at their family home in Burton-upon-Trent in May 2014.

A judge told Smith she had "shown no sign of remorse".

Smith's former partner Matthew Rigby, 22, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being found guilty of causing or allowing the death of his stepdaughter.

ITV News Midlands Correspondent Ben Chapman has been in court for the sentencing:

A mother has been convicted of murdering her "happy and smiley" 21-month-old daughter.

Kathryn Smith, aged 23, was also found guilty of child cruelty, with investigators finding Ayeeshia Smith suffered months of abuse.

ITV News Midlands Correspondent Ben Chapman reports:

The case of Ayeeshia Smith once again raises questions about the role of social services and whether failings identified in previous cases have led to any lessons being learned.

ITV News Social Affairs Editor Penny Marshall travelled to Coventry, where a service that operates in the shadow of one of those tragedies - the death of Daniel Pelka - has rededicated itself to preventing another.

Listen to the harrowing moment Ayeeshia's mother rang 999 when she stopped breathing.

Kathryn Smith has been found guilty of murder and child cruelty after her 21-month-old daughter died at their family home in Burton-on-Trent:

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.”