Text messages between Tustin and Hughes told the story of their fracturing relationship and exposed their violent intent towards Arthur. Thomas Hughes, 29, and Emma Tustin, 32, are accused of murdering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes who suffered an "unsurvivable brain injury." The youngster was allegedly subjected to a "campaign of. Sep 2018 - Present4 years 8 months. Ms Tustin took pictures and recorded audio clips and videos of Arthur being punished, sending them to Mr Hughes, jurors were told. Hughes and Arthur move into Tustins home in Solihull when the Covid-19 lockdown was announced. A man accused of murdering his son said he "probably" valued his partner's love and affection over his child's welfare. Another unusual feature was the fact Tustin obsessively recorded more than 200 voice notes of Arthur during lockdown. We're first for breaking news in Yorkshire - and now we have a Facebook group where you can keep up to date. Warning - this article contains distressing content. She was asked to retrieve her notes of the visit and return to the witness box at a later stage in the trial. Prosecutors said his head was "banged. "I'll sort him out when I'm home," said another. 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'. There were between 100 to 130 marks in total including 30 to his head and neck. "I effectively killed my son. In the witness box told the jury he was simply covering for Tustin, who he now 'hated' and saw in a 'completely different light'. 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. 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. He wanted Tustin, her children and their unborn baby, and not Arthur. He died on 17 June 2020. he 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. In some of the recordings he was heard saying: "Please help me, help me uncle, they're not feeding me, I need some food and a drink. The neglect and murder of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was possible because vulnerable children "slipped from view" during the pandemic, the former children's commissioner for England . This is on me and on me only. Arthur died in Solihull in June 2020. But the evidence undermined the act. While what happened to Arthur is rare, the NSPCC has raised concerns about the risks to children during lockdown. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? While much of the exchanges were inaudible Tustin could be heard regularly asking what Hughes had said to the police. I realise now I made it a lot harder for myself. Another unusual feature was the fact Tustin obsessively recorded more than 200 voice notes of Arthur during lockdown. 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. BrumWish 2021 aims to get thousands of Christmas gifts to young children in need across our city - the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care and kids who have little. 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. But the evidence undermined the act. West 3301 Mercy Health Blvd. 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. Thomas Hughes introduced his son to Tustin early on in the relationship and she later stated that she and Arthur were 'friends straight away'. An official at Arthur's school noted that the child became less happy as autumn progressed. Tustin was repeatedly shown the living room footage from that afternoon but could not provide a consistent account of what happened at what time. Additionally, Tustin photographed Arthur crying in the hallway at 2:15pm. Eventually, she would call an ambulance but it was too late, and Arthur died in hospital shortly after 01:00 the following morning. 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. 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. She carried him around the house, plotting how best to arrange him to fit her deception that she was blameless. 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. 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. Tustin and Hughes simply kept him out of view. Shown footage demonstrating how Arthur was made to spend all day in the hallway and then sleep on the living room floor he said: "You are not here to watch television and comment on it. Hughes made his confessions to the police in the subsequent interviews after the van journey. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? For three months, his life was dictated by a cruel punishment regime enforced by Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes. She tried to convince Hughes to leave the boy with her but he refused. He was rushed to hospital later that same day, June 16, last year, but it was determined nothing could be done to save him and he died at 1am the following morning. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Tustin and Thomas Hughes[c] were convicted on murder and manslaughter charges, respectively, in December 2021. 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". [13] Arthur was left with an unsurvivable brain injury. According to his grandmother, Arthur was initially 'nervous' but quickly became a 'happy, well-rounded child'. Guardian Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, waters and community. The texts of his violent intent, the holes he smashed through the living room door and CCTV footage of him dragging Arthur around like an animal exposed his real 'short-tempered, wicked' nature. It's as simple as that. She was also found guilty of child cruelty counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning). Bodycam footage from emergency services shows Tustin crying as she claimed Arthur repeatedly headbutted the floor. Anne Longfield, the former children's commissioner for England, said:[18], "a lot of the services went on to the screens for children, and this child in particular, Arthur, wasnt in school. She said his physical appearance seemed fine and, as his aggression and anxiety had reduced, she concluded there was no mental health issue. Hughes was repeatedly asked why he did not stand up for Arthur. Hughes' WhatsApp messages became increasingly malevolent. Since the disappearance, reddit and websleuths users have been commenting on. Arthur was conspicuous by his absence on the camera for long periods despite the fact both defendants would often be in the living room talking, gesticulating or shouting towards the hallway. Read about our approach to external linking. 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. It didn't take long for things to deteriorate for Arthur. He died on 17 June 2020. Tustin, 32, and 29-year-old Hughes were accused of killing Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, who suffered an "unsurvivable" brain injury on June 16, 2020. A Home Office pathologist concluded the pattern of many injuries suggested they were inflicted and none-accidental. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. Don't be fooled by deceitful parents, top child expert warns social Back at home, shortly after 2.30pm Tustin messaged Hughes to say Arthur would not get up off the floor and claimed he had knocked himself out by hitting his head on the floor. Hughes' WhatsApp messages became increasingly malevolent. All rights reserved. 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. ", Statistics for England suggested that there had been a 20% decrease in referrals to local authorities' children's departments but a 20% increase in reported cases of child harm and a 19% increase in child deaths. 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. [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. Additionally, both were murdered during the COVID-19 pandemic which was argued to have made it easier for their worsening condition to be hidden from others. Arthur died in hospital in the early hours of the following day. I didn't kill him. All it did was underline her inhumane treatment of her step-son. Photograph: West Midlands Police/PA Child. Not long after he weakly put away his bedding on 16 June, Tustin took Arthur to her appointment at Ms Milhench's home. He told the jury "Arthur was made to sleep on the living room floor" at Ms Tustin's home in Solihull and after his death, "a duvet was found in a cupboard under the stairs". Read about our approach to external linking. 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. ", "Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow jailed for 11 years for stabbing partner to death", "Which jail is Emma Tustin in? There was also an incident during a School Nativity play where Arthur became upset when a baby doll was removed from its crib. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, suffered an "unsurvivable brain injury" in Shirley, Solihull, and died in hospital the following day in June last year. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Father cut up six-year-old son's football shirts as punishment before partner killed the boy, court told Hughes was not present for the alleged fatal assault but is accused of aiding and abetting his son's murder - a charge he denies. Tustin denied the bruises were on Arthur's back when social services visited. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: 'Bullying' couple 'poisoned' boy, 6, with salt 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'. 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. In light of the revelations a juror asked if they were seriously expected to believe Hughes was not guilty of any child cruelty offence. In one message she said 'f****** launch this lying little f***' and in another she warned she was 'going to chin this little c***'. She doesn't need it.". Tustin could be heard 'policing' Arthur in some of the clips barking 'stand still, stand still'. Medical experts disagreed. All it did was underline her inhumane treatment of her step-son. I didn't kill him. When I tried to get him off the floor, he headbutted me and hes hit me and kicked me, she said. She is pregnant with my child. Kidney consultant Dr Malcolm Coulthard told the court that when Arthur arrived at hospital he was suffering from severe hypernatremia - raised sodium levels. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Is climate change killing Australian wine? The jury was told that Arthur's head injuries were comparable to someone who had been in a serious car accident. 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'. The fly on the wall CCTV footage, the terrorising text messages and a capitulation in the witness box. The jury was told medical evidence revealed the boy died from "head trauma inflicted on him by an adult" and the most likely cause was that he had been "vigorously shaken and his head banged repeatedly against a hard surface". 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. Then, he was really quite healthy looking, they told the court. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. The child is growing up without a dad. She would send them to Hughes when he was out of the home to 'report' his son's behaviour. 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. 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. 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. The monster even had the gall to claim the boy was making her life 'hell'. Hughes claimed he only found out Tustin aborted their baby in custody when she said so herself in the witness box a few days earlier. The Guardian view on Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: more lessons to learn 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 prosecutor said Ms Tustin recorded more than 200 audio files of Arthur in "various stages of distress". Hughes took Tustin's children to the supermarket, leaving his own son in mortal danger. Emma Tustin, Thomas Hughes and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. Tests after his death revealed something else sinister - salt poisoning had been routine for him. Locations. 15 June: Tustin took Arthur with her to an appointment with her hairdresser, Catherine Milhench, who said Arthur was told to face the door and not move during the six-hour session. [9], Tustin is believed to have carried out the fatal assault at 2:29p.m when she went into the hallway, where Arthur was located. Her partner, Tobias Jarman, snuck the boy a glass of water without Tustin and Hughes knowing, and said he looked petrified. CCTV, texts and fake tears of a killer: Key evidence in Arthur trial "We know that the Department for Education reported more serious injuries and deaths of children during the last year with a higher percentage in the first six months - so we do know that lockdown had a significant impact on children and families," Helen Westerman, from the NSPCC, said. 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. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes died after being left alone with Emma Tustin last year. You did this to him.". CEO and Legal Counsel. Hughes later told Tustin he had 'basically held my hands up'. She made multiple references to him 'winning'. 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.. Both defendants denied being responsible, or even knowing salt poisoning was a factor in Arthur's death until much later. 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. Arthur was "segregated and isolated" for "up to 14 hours a day", the court was told, often made to stay on the step next to the hallway by the front door, and prevented from having food and drink. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It threw up the first major question in the trial, why was it there? She said: "I was not near Arthur. So distressing were the clips that Judge Mark Wall dissuaded the prosecution from playing all of them. This is on me and on me only. 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. Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow is referred to using her surname throughout this article. Hughes was instead offered an early help programme to assist Arthur in dealing with his traumatic past, which he declined. [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. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes' grandmother discovered 'naughty chair' list with 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. Hughes claimed he was 'gaslighted' and 'mentally abused' by Tustin who he said was 'constantly' over his shoulder telling him to 'whack' Arthur and instructing how to discipline him. For police investigating the case, nothing short of evil suffices to describe Tustin. Tustin was equally vile. Opening the case on Thursday, Mr Hankin said: "His clothes looked dirty, his lips cracked, he could barely open his mouth to speak, his hair was dirty, his nails were dirty and he looked malnourished, gaunt and worn-out.". Sentences for killers of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes to be reviewed for ", The court was told that in June last year, Mr Hughes told a neighbour: "If you hear anyone saying 'don't kill me', ignore it, I'm not hurting him.". He portrayed himself as dim-witted, lacking in confidence and completely submissive to Tustin's assertive control. The proceedings exceeded two months and were even halted by a fire alarm and Covid-19 alert along the way. Tustin saw Arthur as an enemy and threat to her relationship with Hughes. In these clips, the child could be heard crying for his grandmother and uncle, and at one point said "nobody loves me". Thomas Hughes, Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Emma Tustin He told the jury at Coventry Crown Court he was forced to stay at Tustin's home when the first lockdown was announced in March 2020.. Hughes told police he 'turned into a monster' during lockdown and that 'Arthur took the brunt of my frustrations unfairly'. The hallway where Arthur's heart stopped beating is where he had spent most of his time during lockdown. [24] Thomas Hughes was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years. Verdicts returned in murder trial of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. [20][21], In July 2021, Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow was convicted of the manslaughter of her partner, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Emma Tustin is referred to using her surname throughout this article. How much did lockdown help Arthur Labinjo-Hughes killers escape notice? His father Thomas Hughes and partner Emma Tustin deny the boy's murder and multiple counts of child cruelty. At best her evidence was inconsistent, at worst, her testimony was an utter shambles. 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". At one point he said: "The thing is how can I plead not guilty? Both Arthur's parents shared custody of him whilst he lived with his mother. Following Olivia's conviction, Thomas Hughes became the primary carer for Arthur and both lived with Thomas . From prison, Arthur's mother said the memory of her young son she would treasure the most was his smile. ", READ MORE: First pictures of 'evil' dad and step-mum who tortured and killed six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. 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'. Also involved are Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Barnardo's, Spurgeon's children's charity, the Springfield project in Sparkhill, St Paul's Community Development Trust and Your Local Pantry, which runs food hubs in 12 locations across Birmingham and the Black Country. Both defendants denied being responsible, or even knowing salt poisoning was a factor in Arthur's death until much later. They each deny murder. Minutes later, Arthur was unconscious. 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. 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. He was found not guilty on counts 4 (deprivation of food and drink) and 5 (salt poisoning).
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