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Mother jailed for life for murdering toddler Ayeeshia Smith

A mother has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years after she was 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. Ayeeshia's injuries likened to those of a car crash victim.

Smith's former partner Matthew Rigby, 22, was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of his stepdaughter. He was cleared of murder and child cruelty.

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Ayeeshia's father calls for social services to be held to account

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.

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Mother jailed for life for murdering toddler Ayeeshia Smith

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