UK – A mother has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years after being found guilty of murdering her toddler daughter Ayeeshia Jane Smith by stamping the child to death.

Kathryn Smith, 23, was convicted by majority verdict at Birmingham Crown Court after a six-week trial of her and ex-partner Matthew Rigby, 22. Rigby was convicted of causing or allowing little Ayeeshia’s death at the family home in Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire on May 1, 2014, but cleared of her murder. Rigby, who closed his eyes tight as he was asked to stand in the dock by Mrs Justice Andrews, was jailed for three years and six months for what she called his “failure to act”.(PA/Irish Independent)…[+]