Mother convicted of stamping murder of toddler Ayeeshia Jane Smith

A mother has been found guilty of murder after stamping to death her "happy and smiley" 21-month-old toddler at the family home.

Kathryn Smith, aged 23, was convicted of killing Ayeeshia Jane Smith at the flat where they lived in Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire, on May 1 2014.

Her 22-year-old former partner Matthew Rigby was earlier found guilty of causing or allowing her death, but cleared of murder.

Little Ayeeshia, known as AJ, suffered a fatal collapse at home just over three weeks after Derbyshire County Council social services had discussed taking the youngster into care over fears Smith was a victim of domestic abuse.

The toddler died from a fatal heart laceration most likely caused by a foot stamp and the sort of injury doctors only usually see in crash victims.