Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow is referred to using her surname throughout this article. He stated he 'probably' inflicted injuries to his son and hit him with a slipper causing him to bash his head. The couple used insults such as "Satan", "Hitler", "Devilchild", "weasel" and various swear words to refer to the boy. Ms Kavanagh said both children indicated they felt they were 'very happy and very safe'. Like the CCTV, she claimed the purpose of the voice notes was to 'cover my own back'. Both defendants subsequently accepted they 'assaulted' the boy, contrary to their previous pleas. [4][5][2][3] This led to Thomas Hughes becoming Arthur's sole carer. Tustin was subsequently found guilty of child cruelty counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning). 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. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. His barrister forewarned the jury they would not see him 'cry for himself'. The horrific case of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes is raising serious questions about how his abuse went undetected for so long, whether authorities failed in their duty to protect him and how lockdown may have prevented them from doing so. Thomas Hughes and his girlfriend Emma Tustin are jointly accused of murdering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at her home in Shirley, Solihull, on 17 June 2020. Hughes was repeatedly asked why he did not stand up for Arthur. Join Breaking News and Incidents in Yorkshire, Desperate plight of tragic Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was 'missed because of Covid' says social work boss, Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes indulged in hot tubs and ice cream as Arthur left starving and alone. On 15 June, Tustin took Arthur with her to spend most of the day at her hairdresser's house. Arthur changed schools to Dickens Heath Community Primary School[6][7] and moved into an annex behind his paternal grandparents' home, with his father. Several parallels were noted between the cases such as both children being killed by their parent's new partner, having extended family who tried to help them, and being of known concern to the authorities. I didn't kill him. 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In particular, he suffered a detached retina which a pathologist said was 'very, very rare' in child head trauma cases. Between June 12 to June 14 he was ordered to stay there for more than 35 hours in total. Both defendants denied being responsible, or even knowing salt poisoning was a factor in Arthur's death until much later. We pay respect by giving voice to social justice, acknowledging our shared history and valuing the cultures of First Nations. She made multiple references to him 'winning'. Tustin was equally vile. This is on me and on me only. When I tried to get him off the floor, he headbutted me and hes hit me and kicked me, she said. 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". Tustin reported these incidents to Thomas via text messages and audio clips of him crying. I just heard it. She is currently in jail for the manslaughter of 29-year-old delivery driver Gary Cunningham in their home. All rights reserved. Join Breaking News and Incidents in Yorkshire to get the latest breaking news and post there if you see an incident you think is worth us covering. Tustin denied the bruises were on Arthur's back when social services visited. One witness said the previously happy and healthy boy looked "as though he were broken" on the day of his death. Over the following days he reported to the school that Arthur was losing weight, wasnt eating and might faint. She broke down in tears numerous times in the stand, prompting Hughes' barrister to ask 'who are you crying for now?' She feigned contrition repeatedly describing her treatment to Arthur as 'absolutely disgraceful' and purporting she was 'disgusted in myself'. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Despite the challenges, he was a happy and cheeky child who was adored by his extended family. The next day, a social worker went to visit Hughes and Tustin's household. Beyond shame and sadness, the only fitting response is a promise to . You were in this movie. Her partner, Tobias Jarman, snuck the boy a glass of water without Tustin and Hughes knowing, and said he looked petrified. [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. An eight-week trial at Coventry Crown Court. Between June 12 to June 14 he was ordered to stay there for more than 35 hours in total. "Whatever has happened, it has been done by his own actions," Tustin told jurors. Tustin claimed she was shedding tears for Arthur. Arthur spent 35 hours of the three-day period between 12 and 14 June in the hallway having been forced to go there by his father and step-mother. She said: "I was not near Arthur. 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. To get the latest email updates from Yorkshire Live, click here . Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was the son of Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow and Thomas Hughes. Arthur was taken to the Birmingham Childrens hospital and later that evening Tustin and Hughes were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Tustin's hairdresser Catherine Milhench, known as "Affy", and her husband Tobias Jarman were among the last people to see Arthur alive. The truth was he had made his choice. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. Someone supposedly 'stuck in the middle' of a bad situation, but ultimately with Arthur's best interests in mind. She said his physical appearance seemed fine and, as his aggression and anxiety had reduced, she concluded there was no mental health issue. 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. The jury was told that Arthur's head injuries were comparable to someone who had been in a serious car accident. The transcripts of Hughes' seven police interviews were a bombshell. The prosecutor stated social services were presented with a 'false picture'. I don't want other people to suffer for my ignorance, my neglect. Tustin and Hughes. She concluded there were no safeguarding concerns and no need to refer the case for a full child service assessment. 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. Arthur wasn't just her only son, Labinjo-Halcrow said, but her best friend with a gentle and caring nature. She doesn't need it.". Jonas Hankin QC, for the prosecution, told jurors at Coventry Crown Court that Ms Tustin's account included the suggestion "Arthur had headbutted her during the incident" and had treated the couple badly. His blood sodium levels were 'off the scale', measuring over 180millimoles per litre (mmol/L) compared to a normal range of 135-145 mmol/L. Hughes returned home and a 999 call was made at 2.42pm. Mrs Hughes spotted extensive bruising on her grandson's back and he'd told her Tustin had slammed him into the stairs, calling him an "ugly, horrible brat". The authorities found no cause for concern. I realise now I made it a lot harder for myself.". The hallway where Arthur's heart stopped beating is where he had spent most of his time during lockdown. Since that moment, Tustin has sought to deflect blame. She was asked to retrieve her notes of the visit and return to the witness box at a later stage in the trial. His father Thomas Hughes, 29, and his former partner Emma Tustin, 32, are. 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. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? Ms Kavanagh repeated she had 'no safeguarding concerns' about Arthur. 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. 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. 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". Prosecutors noted how the day Arthur was fatally injured, there was barely an indication that he even lived at number 39 Cranmore Road, such was his isolation from the rest of the family. While what happened to Arthur is rare, the NSPCC has raised concerns about the risks to children during lockdown. 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 chilling parallels between the murders of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes", "Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: why were chances to intervene missed? Thomas Hughes, 29, and his then girlfriend Emma Tustin, 32, stand accused of killing his son Arthur at their home in Solihull. At one point he said: "The thing is how can I plead not guilty? Mr Hankin branded her a 'pitiless, cruel woman' who 'hated' Arthur. Hughes allegedly spoke of putting him up for adoption. In light of the revelations a juror asked if they were seriously expected to believe Hughes was not guilty of any child cruelty offence. Hughes was repeatedly asked why he did not stand up for Arthur. Tustin had more than 200 audio recordings of Arthur in distress on her phone, including two particularly . There was no way the six-year-old boy could inflict these "unsurvivable" injuries on himself. Like at home, he was forced to stand in the hallway and when he failed to stand up straight, Hughes was heard bellowing at his son, threatening to put him six feet under and to rip his head off and use it as a football. Eventually, she would call an ambulance but it was too late, and Arthur died in hospital shortly after 01:00 the following morning. Thursday 2 December 2021 17:54, UK Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. Arthur's father Thomas Hughes and mother Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow had shared custody of the child, until her arrest for killing her own partner in February 2019. They all agreed that the most likely mechanism that caused the injuries was a shaking-type motion with one or more impacts. It didn't take long for things to deteriorate for Arthur. He lived with his mother, Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow, after she and Hughes split not long before his second birthday. She made multiple references to him 'winning'. So theres a big lesson there, instantly about if there is a crisis, there are children who are going to slip from view and we have to make sure they have the protection, which does need face to face contact. "At the time I thought I was doing the right thing by my unborn child. She said she recommended an early help programme including 'life story' work for Arthur, but Hughes declined it. 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.. Mr Hankin said the evidence indicated Arthur was isolated and "physically and verbally abused", while access to food and drink were "controlled or restricted". [8] She shook Arthur and hit his head against a hard surface multiple times. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. She described his appearance as skeletal and said his legs were shaking like he couldnt hold himself up. Ms Kavanagh repeated she had 'no safeguarding concerns' about Arthur. This is on me and on me only. A Home Office pathologist concluded the pattern of many injuries suggested they were inflicted and none-accidental. The day before Arthur died he joked about paying someone to 'dig Arthur's grave'. Tustin and Hughes manipulated visitors, told them his bruises were down to play. Tustin denied the bruises were on Arthur's back when social services visited. At one point he said: "The thing is how can I plead not guilty? Detectives used the footage to establish that Arthur spent almost all day in the hallway in the run-up to his death. 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. Mr Hankin branded her a 'pitiless, cruel woman' who 'hated' Arthur. 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The court also heard Tustin wanted the CCTV because she was fearful of Arthur making allegations about her. Both Arthur's parents shared custody of him whilst he lived with his mother. 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'. She branded the couple cold, calculating and wicked. Hughes' WhatsApp messages became increasingly malevolent. But her ultimate unravelling came as she was quizzed about Arthur's collapse. You did this to him.". Michelle Hull, safeguarding lead at Dickens Heath Community primary school, contacted social services but was told they had no concerns. 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. Both defendants denied being responsible, or even knowing salt poisoning was a factor in Arthur's death until much later. 2023 BBC. "Just end him," one message read. He added: "Over the course of 17 months a lot has been put to me I was not previously aware of regarding Emma and it has made me see Emma in a completely different light. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes' gran says 'I have failed' & blasts selfish killer for acting like his death 'inconvenienced' her Holly Christodoulou Published: 12:59, 3 Dec 2021 Updated: 14:55, 3 Dec 2021. 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. Thomas Hughes and his six-year-old son Arthur Labinjo-Hughes A Solihull man accused of murdering his six-year-old son claimed his girlfriend was 'jealous' and tried to 'drive a wedge'. "At the time I thought I was doing the right thing by my unborn child. In one message she said 'f****** launch this lying little f***' and in another she warned she was 'going to chin this little c***'. [25] He is being held at HMP Wakefield. The prosecutor argued her explanation did not 'bear scrutiny' and accused Tustin of poisoning Arthur with salt during the 22-minute period she was upstairs 'doing my eyebrows' on June 16. A jury has now convicted dad Thomas Hughes of manslaughter and step-mother. Locations. Scheduling: (513) 612-1111 There was also an incident during a School Nativity play where Arthur became upset when a baby doll was removed from its crib. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, collapsed from fatal injuries at a home in Shirley, Solihull on June 16 last year. significant evidence and developments in the trial. Hughes' WhatsApp messages became increasingly malevolent. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. In reply Judge Wall said the police interviews were only part of the evidence they were to hear. Following Olivia's conviction, Thomas Hughes became the primary carer for Arthur and both lived with Thomas . 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'. [12] Tustin then took a photo of the dying boy, which she sent to Hughes. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. As he grew weaker and struggled to stand, Arthur would be punished further if he tried to move or sit down in the hallway. Thomas Hughes and his girlfriend Emma Tustin are jointly accused of murdering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at her home in Shirley, Solihull, on 17 June 2020.
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