A MOTHER has been found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old toddler, Ayeeshia Smith by stamping her to death.

Wearing a grey hood and black jeans Kathryn Smith, 23, shook her head in the dock as the jury of seven men and five women convicted her.

She was also found guilty of child cruelty.

Smith's boyfriend, Matthew Rigby, 22, has been found guilty of allowing the death of the toddler while living with Smith at her flat in Britannia Drive, Stretton, on May 1, 2014.

He was cleared of both murder and child cruelty.

Kathryn Smith and her daughter Ayeeshia
Kathryn Smith and her daughter Ayeeshia

The toddler, known as AJ, died in the couple's flat after suffering a cardiac arrest which the prosecution say happened when she was stamped on. Medical experts say she suffered injuries likened to car crash victims.

Both Smith and Rigby were unanimously convicted by a Birmingham Crown Court jury in connection with the death of Ayeeshia.

AJ had three broken ribs and a catalogue of other injuries inflicted on her by her own mother.

Jurors heard Smith brought men in and out of AJ's life, making her suffer arguments and even domestic violence when her mother was punched in the stomach by a former boyfriend.

Derbyshire County Council's social services took AJ into care after Smith refused to give up her turbulent romance with her boyfriend.

History repeated itself with Rigby when she also refused to sign the same agreement.

The jury also listened to audio 999 calls made to the police by Smith, over yet more arguments where she said Rigby would have Smith killed within the week.

He also later threatened to blow up the couple's flat.

Cannabis was a prominent feature in AJ's life with both Rigby and Smith smoking it and also storing the drug in the child's Tommee Tippee plastic cup.

Social workers were in and out of AJ's life even before she was born and up until the day before her death when a safeguarding meeting was held after another domestic incident between the couple had occurred.

AJ could have been taken into care and into safety but instead a domestic abuse support worker was provided.

A post mortem examination revealed an historic bleed on the brain linked to a previous collapse at home in February 2014, where doctors believe she could have been shaken.

It is widely believed Smith was out getting cannabis at this time, leaving Rigby alone with AJ.

She also suffered further injuries, including a 12cm bruise to her back, as well buttocks, bruising to her neck, head, left eyelid and left leg.

Smith, of Sandfield Road, and Rigby, of Sloan Drive, both Nottingham, had denied all the charges against them.

The pair will be sentenced on Monday.