'Absolutely evil' Star Hobson killer 'controlled' whole family, great grandfather says

16 March 2022, 09:39

Nick Ferrari speaks to Star Hobson's great grandfather David Fawcett

By Emma Soteriou

Star Hobson's killer was "absolutely evil" and "controlled" the whole family, the toddler's great grandfather has told LBC.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, David Fawcett said that Savannah Brockhill showed "controlling" behaviour over the entire family, suggesting Star's mum was a victim too.

It comes after the mother of the murdered toddler - Frankie Smith - had her prison sentence extended at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

She was initially sentenced to eight years in prison for causing or allowing her daughter's death, but it was later increased to 12 years.

"When you heard the increase in sentence, what was your reaction Mr Fawcett?" Nick asked.

"We weren't surprised, we expected it to be increased. It did seem a bit too lenient.

"I just said it might be increased to 10 years - that's what we thought - but when they said 12 it was a bit of a shock."

Read now: Russian forces take 400 patients and doctors hostage at Mariupol hospital

Read now: Zelenskyy concedes Ukraine will never join Nato as peace talks become 'more realistic'

Nick Ferrari hears from Star Hobson's babysitter

"When you say it's a shock do you believe it's unfair on the woman?" Nick went on to say.

"Not unfair, but I just can't understand that when she was sentenced in the first place...I just think Frankie was a victim herself. She was abused by Savannah Brockhill. She could have got Star out of that situation but she was so controlled. We noticed the change in Frankie."

Nick said: "At the appeal, they did say the woman showed a deliberate disregard for her daughter's safety - a lot of people would say 12 years isn't enough for what she allowed to happen."

"A lot of people have said they both should have got the same, but Frankie was found not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter," Mr Fawcett explained.

When asked how Brockhill controlled Smith, Mr Fawcett said: "She seemed to take control of the entire family.

"I don't know where she came from but Frankie's sisters were frightened of her and Frankie's mum.

"She even controlled the social workers when they came to visit."

Nick asked Mr Fawcett if he felt Brockhill was evil.

"Yes, definitely," he said. "Absolutely evil. The way she controlled everything - she blocked my phone, she stopped Anita (Star's great grandmother) from seeing Star, she isolated Frankie, she moved her away, we couldn't get any contact with her."

He went on to say: "She was making threats to me that if I went anywhere near Star I'd be in bother."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' says defence secretary noting forces already play 'important' role in preventing escalation

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' with forces playing an 'important' role in preventing escalation

Exclusive
LBC has uncovered levels of E Coli in Britain’s rivers over fifty times higher than levels recommended by the Environment Agency, in the latest edition of Feargal on Friday.

Feargal Sharkey exposes dangerous levels of E. coli in British rivers