All it did was underline her inhumane treatment of her step-son. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. ", "The chilling parallels between the murders of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes", "Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: why were chances to intervene missed? Prosecutors said despite having her phone, she took 12 minutes to call 999, telling medics Arthur "fell and banged his head and while on the floor banged his head another five times". She said children were "the hidden victims of this pandemic" and that the charity had seen an increase of 23% in calls from adults concerned about a child's welfare. Please don't keep Emma in custody. Warning - this article contains distressing content. Hughes was found not guilty on counts 4 and 5. Thomas Hughes soon returned to his partner's house and refused the grandmother's request to leave the boy at her house for longer, prompting her to report him to social services. She would send them to Hughes when he was out of the home to 'report' his son's behaviour. I don't want them to suffer. Tustin spent over a week in the witness box. Arthur's grandmother Joanne Hughes made a social services report on April 16, 2020, after discovering bruises to his back, which she suspected had been caused by Tustin. The fly on the wall CCTV footage, the terrorising text messages and a capitulation in the witness box. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, died of a brain injury on 17 June 2020. Thomas Hughes would frequently threaten violence against his son. The trial took a number of twists and turns as the prosecution detailed how Arthur was made to stand in isolation for up to 14 hours a day, was assaulted, deprived of food and water as well as poisoned with salt. Arthur changed schools to Dickens Heath Community Primary School[6][7] and moved into an annex behind his paternal grandparents' home, with his father. Tustin had bizarrely claimed she had a spare camera left over from putting up CCTV outside due to 'problems with neighbours coming into the garden and putting holes in her clothes'. He told Tustin to 'just end' Arthur, 'take his jaw off' and 'gag' him, while he threatened to 'take his neck off' and 'dash my food off his head'. He portrayed himself as dim-witted, lacking in confidence and completely submissive to Tustin's assertive control. Hospital affiliations include Fisher Titus Medical Center. His father Thomas Hughes and partner Emma Tustin deny the boy's murder and multiple counts of child cruelty. Both are also accused of two counts of child cruelty by assault on multiple occasions and also by withholding food and/or drink. [12] Tustin then took a photo of the dying boy, which she sent to Hughes. He lived with his mother, Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow, after she and Hughes split not long before his second birthday. [5] The assault is believed to have lasted one minute. Medical experts disagreed. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes suffered a fatal collapse while at Emma Tustin's home in Solihull All the while, Arthur was cut off from those who loved him and could help him. After Arthur's parents separated in his infancy, he was initially cared for by his mother Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow. I didn't kill him. My mum, my dad. It emerged that after Tustin and Hughes each gave one police interview they travelled in the back of a police van together where their conversations were 'covertly recorded'. Furious inmates 'toss salt at killer stepmum' who tortured Arthur Labinjo-Hughes", "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Father and stepmother's prison sentences to be reviewed", "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: 'A bruise for every day of lockdown' left on body of boy killed by father and stepmother", "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Emma Tustin sentenced to life and Thomas Hughes 21 years for torturing and killing six-year-old", High Court Judgement: Regina - v Emma Tustin & THomas Hughes Sentencing Remarks, "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Killer father has sentence increased", "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: review launched into six-year-old's murder", "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: National inquiry into boy's death", "Timeline of the key missed opportunities leading up to Arthur's death revealed", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Arthur_Labinjo-Hughes&oldid=1143956977, This page was last edited on 10 March 2023, at 23:33. The camera also picked up isolated incidents of bullying Hughes and cruel Tustin slapping Arthur round the back of the head and holding him by the scruff of the neck. But the evidence undermined the act. The vast majority of the recordings were of Arthur crying. She is pregnant with my child. She flip-flopped from her original account to police; from being in the hallway when he supposedly 'cracked' his own head off the floor to being elsewhere, from the first of four cracks being the loudest to the last of them being the loudest, from being present when Arthur apparently knocked himself out to being somewhere else. Hughes and Arthur move into Tustins home in Solihull when the Covid-19 lockdown was announced. Something went wrong, please try again later. Tustin also laid her cards on the table to Hughes over text and said: "I want you but not him.". As he grew weaker and struggled to stand, Arthur would be punished further if he tried to move or sit down in the hallway. It's as simple as that. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes died after being left alone with Emma Tustin last year. Tuesday 16 June 2020 started the same as any other for six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: in misery and in pain. I can't account for it. "I'll sort him out when I'm home," said another. There were between 100 to 130 marks in total including 30 to his head and neck. Between June 12 to June 14 he was ordered to stay there for more than 35 hours in total. We pay respect by giving voice to social justice, acknowledging our shared history and valuing the cultures of First Nations. Arthur died in hospital in the early hours of the following day. Teachers reported Arthur was becoming fixated with his dad disappearing from his life, or killing him, and had also become obsessed with death, murder and guns. Suite 325 Cincinnati, OH 45211. You can also donate cash, which will go into a fund held by a charity partner to use to plug gaps or buy specialist toys for children with additional needs. Tustin had been repeatedly lacing his food and drink with it. His treasured possessions, including a favourite blanket, teddy bear and his beloved Birmingham City football shirts, were torn up and destroyed before his eyes by an enraged Hughes as another twisted punishment. By April, social services and police had paid a visit after referrals from his concerned grandmother, Joanne Hughes, and an anonymous tip off from Tustin's own parents. Serious questions are now being asked of authorities which could have intervened to save Arthur. Text messages between Tustin and Hughes told the story of their fracturing relationship and exposed their violent intent towards Arthur. (modern). [3] Though Thomas Hughes's mother asked that he and Arthur come to her house, he refused,[8] instead deciding to move in with Tustin's at her home in Solihull for the duration of the lockdown. In light of the revelations a juror asked if they were seriously expected to believe Hughes was not guilty of any child cruelty offence. 'C***' was a favourite insult of the foul-mouthed pair. The child was secretly given a drink of water by the hairdresser's partner, who later described him as "gaunt", "malnourished" and "a poor little kid who was broken". After weeks of harrowing evidence at Coventry Crown Court, a jury this week found his father Thomas Hughes, 29, guilty of manslaughter, and his step-mother Emma Tustin, 32, guilty of murder. Clubs are free to negotiate deals ahead of 2024. Tustin spent over a week in the witness box. Hughes initially admitted he was 'accountable' for Arthur's death and said: "There's a long ways to go but I'm guilty of it. 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[11] Arthur was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital; however, doctors were unable to save him and he died later that night. Hughes claimed Tustin 'coached' the children into lying to the social workers and warned Hughes if he did not go along with it as well they would have their children taken from them. The truth was he had made his choice. Emma Tustin allegedly carried out the assault. Someone supposedly 'stuck in the middle' of a bad situation, but ultimately with Arthur's best interests in mind. Hughes was seemingly unmoved by the sound of his boy crying over and over again. [33], My Lover My Killer, Episode 2 - Netflix (story of mother Olivia). Dr Coulthard concluded Arthur was salt poisoned stating it could have occurred incrementally but that he would have had to have been given a large dose of the kitchen condiment in the hours immediately before he collapsed. Hughes would even call Arthur's school and tell teachers he'd been playing out in the garden. [8], When Arthur's school reopened on 8 June he was not in attendance; Thomas Hughes was contacted by the school about the matter but provided various excuses for the child's absence. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. By the end of the month, Arthur was moved out of Tustin's son and daughter's bedroom and made to sleep on the living room floor. At one point he said: "The thing is how can I plead not guilty? The following day social worker Jayne Kavanagh visited the address at Cranmore Road accompanied by Angela Scarlett-Coppage, a family support worker who had dealt with Tustin before in her previous relationship. ", READ MORE: First pictures of 'evil' dad and step-mum who tortured and killed six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. The Attorney General's office said on 4 December that the sentences would be reviewed to "determine whether they were too low" under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Tustin and Hughes simply kept him out of view. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? The monster even had the gall to claim the boy was making her life 'hell'. He was found not guilty on counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning). No-one else. [25] He is being held at HMP Wakefield. The child collapsed to the floor as they left the hairdresser's but was not helped by either Tustin or Thomas when he arrived. She concluded there were no safeguarding concerns and no need to refer the case for a full child service assessment. By the time of his death, Arthur was malnourished, suffering from salt poisoning, and covered with over 130 bruises. [8], In May 2020, Arthur was frequently made to stand in the hallway for long periods of time as a punishment for his alleged misbehaviour. Hughes's following comment to officers proved to be telling: "Emma isn't a suspect, she's a witness. I can't account for it. I don't want other people to suffer for my ignorance, my neglect. Hughes made his confessions to the police in the subsequent interviews after the van journey. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes report: children still at risk in Solihull, Onein five child abuse images found online last year were category A report, Covid lockdowns created online backdoor for child abusers, says charity, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: review launched into six-year-olds murder, Painful Ofsted report in Herefordshire leads to calls for resignations, Sentences for killers of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes to be reviewed for leniency, Child protection agencies failed son of drug addict, review finds, Ionce looked up to my uncle, the Jesuit priest and teacher then I discovered the monstrous truth, PMpledges to leave no stone unturned in review of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes death, Halving time asylum seeker children held in UK hotels not enough, say charities, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: woman jailed for life for murder of stepson, six. In another, the fear stricken boy yelled 'daddy's going to throw me out the window'. Read about our approach to external linking. A review by social services is currently under way and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is also examining whether opportunities were missed by police. "I don't want other people to suffer for my ignorance, my neglect. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Tustin sent these recordings to Hughes who would respond with violent threats, encouraging his partner to harm his son. On 6 May 2020, Mr Hughes texted Ms Tustin, telling her: "Tell him not to move a muscle - put him by the fridge, put him outside or wherever, give him away. His father Thomas Hughes, 29, gave. A jury has now convicted dad Thomas Hughes of manslaughter and step-mother. Tustin regularly stated she could not explain her behaviour and claimed it was only now she was 'out of the situation' she could see how bad things were at the time. Tustin maintained she has used salt for the same purpose whilst being in custody. The pair also face an allegation of child cruelty by administering salt to Arthur between 1 and 17 June last year. Thomas Hughes, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Emma Tustin. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, Dad and partner guilty of killing six-year-old, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Banana artwork in Seoul museum eaten by visitor, NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool, Trevelyan relative 'would consider' famine payment, Ding becomes China's first male world chess champion, Indian 'killer' elephant relocated to tiger reserve. In particular, he suffered a detached retina which a pathologist said was 'very, very rare' in child head trauma cases. The court also heard Tustin wanted the CCTV because she was fearful of Arthur making allegations about her. Tustin was subsequently found guilty of child cruelty counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning). She branded the couple cold, calculating and wicked. She doesn't need it.". Thomas Hughes, 29, and his then girlfriend Emma Tustin, 32, stand accused of killing his son Arthur at their home in Solihull. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, collapsed from fatal injuries at a home in Shirley, Solihull on June 16 last year. [14] Arthur's favourite team, Birmingham City F.C, named a children's area in its stadium after him and supporters sung his name on a march through Birmingham prior to a match. She was also found guilty of child cruelty counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning). Tustin could be heard 'policing' Arthur in some of the clips barking 'stand still, stand still'. Police, CAMHS, a social worker and his school all received concerned reports about his welfare. His barrister forewarned the jury they would not see him 'cry for himself'. An eight-week trial at Coventry Crown Court. Not long after he weakly put away his bedding on 16 June, Tustin took Arthur to her appointment at Ms Milhench's home. The vast majority of the recordings were of Arthur crying. Tustin had inflicted a catastrophic brain injury by shaking him and repeatedly slamming his head into a hard surface. 17 April 2020: Social worker Jayne Kavanagh from Solihull council visited Tustins home. Medical experts dominated the proceedings for an entire week. Like the CCTV, she claimed the purpose of the voice notes was to 'cover my own back'. Family Arthur was killed in June 2020 The father of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes has had his manslaughter sentence for the boy's death increased. She explained she was told Arthur had a playfight with Tustin's son which resulted in both being hurt. Whilst he was at his grandparents' house, Arthur said that he had been pinned against the wall by Tustin, called a "horrible ugly brat", and his grandmother found several bruises on his back. He was made to sleep there even when the other children slept elsewhere. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Backed into a corner, all Tustin could do was deny culpability with no credible alternative explanation. Arthur died in Solihull in June 2020. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. No-one else. Thomas Hughes is referred to using his full-name throughout this article to make clear the distinction from his son. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, suffered an "unsurvivable brain injury" in Shirley, Solihull, and died in hospital the following day in June last year. How much did lockdown help Arthur Labinjo-Hughes killers escape notice? His barrister forewarned the jury they would not see him 'cry for himself'. The six-year-old collapsed from catastrophic head injuries in the hallway of a home in Cranmore Road, Shirley where he had been confined as a 'punishment' for most of the first national lockdown. Shortly after the conviction, the government announced that there would be a national inquiry into the case. Both defendants subsequently accepted they 'assaulted' the boy, contrary to their previous pleas. You did this to him.". 2023 BBC. In differing accounts, she would variously blame Arthur for his own injuries. The death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes raises hard questions we must address them all | Harry Ferguson. But her words did not wash with prosecutor Jonas Hankin who completely skewered her during cross-examination. In the space of just 18 months Arthur went from a bright and bubbly boy to a weak and emaciated one terrified for his life. She said she recommended an early help programme including 'life story' work for Arthur, but Hughes declined it. Hughes's following comment to officers proved to be telling: "Emma isn't a suspect, she's a witness. Consultant pathologist Dr Roger Malcolmson told the murder trial. In his eyes was fear, they would say, and it soon became apparent why. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Tustin said at one point to Thomas that "I want you but I don't want him". Mr Hughes, 29, of Stroud Road, and Ms Tustin allegedly forced Arthur to endure "systematic, cruel behaviour", both "physical and psychological" in the weeks before he died. The following day social worker Jayne Kavanagh visited the address at Cranmore Road accompanied by Angela Scarlett-Coppage, a family support worker who had dealt with Tustin before in her previous relationship. Since the disappearance, reddit and websleuths users have been commenting on. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes died in hospital several hours after he was found unresponsive at a house on Cranmore Road in Shirley, near Birmingham 'Bullying' parents 'poisoned' their six-year-old son. He loved school, football and superheroes. A jury has now convicted dad Thomas Hughes of manslaughter and step-mother Emma Tustin of murder. Mr Hankin branded her a 'pitiless, cruel woman' who 'hated' Arthur. Below we have listed the significant evidence and developments in the trial. [8] At the time of his death, a medical review found that he was covered in 130 bruises, that he had been poisoned with salt, and that the extent of his injuries were compared to torture. All it did was underline her inhumane treatment of her step-son. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Arguably the most heart-breaking clip to watch was Arthur being so weak on the morning of his collapse that he barely had the strength to carry his bedding out of the living room, where he had been forced to sleep. The vast majority of the recordings were of Arthur crying. [11] She is being held at HMP Peterborough. They uncovered significant evidence of abuse inflicted on Arthur by both. I just heard it.". BBC News, West Midlands. 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Hughes was found guilty of child cruelty counts 2 (standing in isolation) and 3 (assaults). Tustin, 32, and 29-year-old Hughes were accused of killing Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, who suffered an "unsurvivable" brain injury on June 16, 2020. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Below we have listed the significant evidence and developments in the trial.The fly on the wall. He would stand there alone while his father enjoyed chocolates and other treats in the kitchen with Tustin and her own children.