", "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? Ms Kavanagh repeated she had 'no safeguarding concerns' about Arthur. Hughes took Tustin's children to the supermarket, leaving his own son in mortal danger. "Just end him," one message read. I didn't kill him. In particular, he suffered a detached retina which a pathologist said was 'very, very rare' in child head trauma cases. Michelle Hull, safeguarding lead at Dickens Heath Community primary school, contacted social services but was told they had no concerns. Between June 12 to June 14 he was ordered to stay there for more than 35 hours in total. The boy was mistreated over the course of several months by his father, Thomas Hughes, and his father's partner, Emma Tustin. The vast majority of the recordings were of Arthur crying. He sent the photos to an officer but never heard back. In differing accounts, she would variously blame Arthur for his own injuries. Tustin could be heard 'policing' Arthur in some of the clips barking 'stand still, stand still'. She is pregnant with my child. 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. [13], Emma Tustin was convicted of murdering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at Coventry Crown Court in December 2021, and was given a life sentence with a minimum of 29 years. 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 said it was set up on a living room shelf to monitor Arthur's behaviour because he had supposedly ripped up things and allegedly dropped her tortoise, although that was disputed. I just heard it. 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. The court also heard Tustin wanted the CCTV. The pair also face an allegation of child cruelty by administering salt to Arthur between 1 and 17 June last year. This is the link to make a donation. He lived with his mother, Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow, after she and Hughes split not long before his second birthday. Tustin denied the bruises were on Arthur's back when social services visited. You did this to him.". Hughes told police he 'turned into a monster' during lockdown and that 'Arthur took the brunt of my frustrations unfairly'. "I effectively killed my son. Arthur's case was "horrendous, horrific and heart-breaking," the NSPCC said and the charity called for the serious case review to "establish the lessons that need to be learned to prevent this awful case from happening again". He said he 'put Arthur in this position' and that he set the rules in the house which Tustin only followed to a 'certain degree'. New patients are welcome. By the time of his death, Arthur was malnourished, suffering from salt poisoning, and covered with over 130 bruises. The case received significant attention in the local area and across the United Kingdom, provoking discussion about the protection of children at risk of abuse and criticism against Child Protective Services for their lack of intervention. Tustin claimed she was shedding tears for Arthur. In one message she said 'f****** launch this lying little f***' and in another she warned she was 'going to chin this little c***'. The Child Safeguarding Partnership said it would be "inappropriate" to comment ahead of its findings, but said the "terrible tragedy has had a shocking impact on Arthur's family and across the whole community". Hughes later told Tustin he had 'basically held my hands up'. He wanted Tustin, her children and their unborn baby, and not Arthur. I'm guilty of all of this. In one message she said 'f****** launch this lying little f***' and in another she warned she was 'going to chin this little c***'. Then, he was really quite healthy looking, they told the court. Arthur wasn't just her only son, Labinjo-Halcrow said, but her best friend with a gentle and caring nature. So distressing were the clips that Judge Mark Wall dissuaded the prosecution from playing all of them. In a series of twists and turns, the circumstances surrounding little Arthurs death were at times difficult to hear, with the prosecution detailing a catalogue of abuse the young lad had endured. It did not add up that he had apparently confessed his guilt to officers and yet went on to deny all the charges against him. She described his appearance as skeletal and said his legs were shaking like he couldnt hold himself up. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk, Man and partner in court over his son's death, Disruption for motorists as major section of motorway closes for works, Dudley first aid group "thrilled" at kind CCTV donation, 'I suffered horror symptoms for 8 years before docs diagnosed me - here's what I want people to know', Landmark Great Barr pub is closing its doors tomorrow (May 2), Nurses in Birmingham walk out over pay but business as usual at Black Country hospitals, Police find 'interesting items' in suspected stolen car, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan. The death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes raises hard questions we must address them all | Harry Ferguson. You did this to him.". The jury was told that Arthur's head injuries were comparable to someone who had been in a serious car accident. List of child abuse cases featuring long-term detention, "Online directories- LABINJO-HUGHES, Arthur (Adjourned)", "Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Images show tragic little boy smiling with his mother before she lost joint custody after killing partner", "What happened to Arthur Labinjo-Hughes? November 2019: Hughes and his mother, Joanne, met staff at Arthurs school to discuss their growing concerns about his behaviour. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. BBC News, West Midlands. CEO and Legal Counsel. But her words did not wash with prosecutor Jonas Hankin who completely skewered her during cross-examination. 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'. Six year old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes suffered a catalogue of abuse before succumbing to fatal injuries at a home in Solihull last year, Yorkshire breaking news and updates sent straight to your inbox. Tustin maintained she has used salt for the same purpose whilst being in custody. Tustin bombarded Hughes with messages complaining of the child's behaviour as his condition worsened. In the witness box told the jury he was simply covering for Tustin, who he now 'hated' and saw in a 'completely different light'. However, the child's uncle noted that Thomas Hughes seemed to be becoming stricter with the boy, and Arthur appeared to be more fearful of getting into trouble. The proceedings exceeded two months and were even halted by a fire alarm and Covid-19 alert along the way. But some of the memos will last long in the memory, in particular Arthur crying for his grandmother and uncle saying repeatedly 'no-one loves me' and 'no-one is going to feed me'. He was made to sleep there even when the other children slept elsewhere. One witness said the previously happy and healthy boy looked "as though he were broken" on the day of his death. His tiny body bore more than 130 bruises. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: father and partner found guilty of killing son, six. It was made plain to her that the consensus medical opinion was that Arthur could not have caused his fatal head injuries himself, and yet still she blamed him for his own death. There was a consensus that it was 'inconceivable' Arthur could have caused them himself. 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. Giving evidence during the trial, Hughes said Tustin had coached the two boys to lie to social services about the fight with boxing gloves, and warned him they would have their children taken from them if he did not go along with it as well. Locations. Hughes returned home and a 999 call was made at 2.42pm. 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. 18 April 2020: Arthurs uncle, Daniel Hughes, spoke to West Midlands police about the bruises on the boys back. 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. My mum, my dad. To get the latest email updates from Yorkshire Live, click here . She concluded there were no safeguarding concerns and no need to refer the case for a full child service assessment. 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. It is alleged Ms Tustin, 32, of Cranmore Road, carried out the fatal assault while in sole care of Arthur and fetched her mobile phone immediately afterwards to take a photograph of the youngster as he lay dying in the hallway. [22], Due to the nature of Arthur's injuries and the accounts given by Tustin and Thomas Hughes, both parents were arrested on the evening of 16 June initially on suspicion of assault and then murder. When I tried to get him off the floor, he headbutted me and hes hit me and kicked me, she said. Thursday 2 December 2021 17:54, UK How much did lockdown help Arthur Labinjo-Hughes killers escape notice? The boy was mistreated over the course of several months by his father, Thomas Hughes, and his father's partner, Emma Tustin. Tustin spent over a week in the witness box. He stated he 'probably' inflicted injuries to his son and hit him with a slipper causing him to bash his head. However Tustin repeatedly said the police would 'put it on both of us' and added: "None of us are going to walk away from this.". Read about our approach to external linking. He said: "I had lost one child, I was aware of the pregnancy of the second. Jurors held a minute's silence for Arthur Labinjo-Hughes after they returned their verdicts A father and his partner have been found guilty of the killing of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.. Backed into a corner, all Tustin could do was deny culpability with no credible alternative explanation. Thomas Hughes, Tustin and Arthur went back to the hairdresser's house where Arthur was constantly shouted at by the former two. Barely able to stand, he folded away his bedding in the living room where his father and new stepmother had been making him sleep on the floor, all the while monitored by CCTV set up to catch him "misbehaving". Notes from hospital doctors who treated him after his collapse revealed he had also been "poisoned with salt" and had suffered extensive bruising. Shown CCTV of her slapping the boy to the head, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and waking him up by ripping the duvet from underneath him, Tustin admitted she had been cruel by assaulting Arthur - despite previously pleading not guilty to that particular offence. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (4 January 2014 - 17 June 2020) was a six-year-old child living in the West Midlands, England who was abused and subsequently killed by his carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tustin pleaded guilty to child cruelty counts 2 and 3. Hughes confessed to treating Arthur 'like a prisoner' by making him stay in the hallway for the 'majority of the time', adding his discipline had 'gone horribly wrong'. The 32-year-old was said to have "bristled with hostility" towards Arthur. Another unusual feature was the fact Tustin obsessively recorded more than 200 voice notes of Arthur during lockdown. A "bullying" father and stepmother "poisoned" a six-year-old boy with salt and exposed him to months of "cruel" abuse, a court has heard. In light of the revelations a juror asked if they were seriously expected to believe Hughes was not guilty of any child cruelty offence. Tustin denied the bruises were on Arthur's back when social services visited. In a three-minute phone call, Hughes pretended they spoke about balloons for a birthday party but more likely, prosecutors suggest, he acted as he routinely did when Tustin reported Arthur's behaviour to him: in a rage, with threats, and encouraging violence. Tuesday 16 June 2020 started the same as any other for six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: in misery and in pain. Tustin sent these recordings to Hughes who would respond with violent threats, encouraging his partner to harm his son. Thomas Hughes decided to take his son to live with his new partner Emma Tustin and her children during COVID-19 related restrictions. Ms Kavanagh repeated she had 'no safeguarding concerns' about Arthur. significant evidence and developments in the trial. She was also found guilty of child cruelty counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning). Hughes allegedly spoke of putting him up for adoption. While alone, Arthur would often cry to himself. She explained she was told Arthur had a playfight with Tustin's son which resulted in both being hurt. We pay respect by giving voice to social justice, acknowledging our shared history and valuing the cultures of First Nations. [8], On the morning of 16 June, Arthur appeared on CCTV footage to be weak, in visible pain and struggling to lift his bedclothes. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, died of a brain injury on 17 June 2020. March 2020: Hughes took Arthur to Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services practitioner, Kerry Forsyth-Benson, who reported the boy saying he was worried about his dad not returning. On 15 June, Tustin took Arthur with her to spend most of the day at her hairdresser's house. Thomas Hughes said that Tustin coached the boys to lie about the incident and had warned him they would lose custody of their children if he did not cooperate as well. Please don't keep Emma in custody. 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. At best her evidence was inconsistent, at worst, her testimony was an utter shambles. Hospital affiliations include Fisher Titus Medical Center. [9][10] At the beginning of the lockdown, Arthur and his father were staying in Tustin's home. Since that moment, Tustin has sought to deflect blame. He portrayed himself as dim-witted, lacking in confidence and completely submissive to Tustin's assertive control. In reply Judge Wall said the police interviews were only part of the evidence they were to hear. Between June 12 to June 14 he was ordered to stay there for more than 35 hours in total. I don't want them to suffer. 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. They uncovered significant evidence of abuse inflicted on Arthur by both. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Police later closed the log believing it required no further role for force response as social services were involved. She presented herself as a victim. [23][13] Police officers examined hundreds of videos, audio files and photos found on Tustin's and Hughes' mobile phones, and analysed thousands of messages they sent each other. Since the disappearance, reddit and websleuths users have been commenting on. Ms Kavanagh said both children indicated they felt they were 'very happy and very safe'. While what happened to Arthur is rare, the NSPCC has raised concerns about the risks to children during lockdown. Kidney consultant Dr Malcolm Coulthard told the court that when Arthur arrived at hospital he was suffering from severe hypernatremia - raised sodium levels. Hughes was seemingly unmoved by the sound of his boy crying over and over again.
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