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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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Mother who murdered her daughter jailed for life

Kathryn Smith was convicted of murdering her daughter Ayeeshia. Credit: PA/SWNS

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:

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