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." Suite 325 Cincinnati, OH 45211. 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. After Arthur's parents separated in his infancy, he was initially cared for by his mother Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow. I'm guilty of all of this. 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. Hughes took Tustin's children to the supermarket, leaving his own son in mortal danger. She refuted the allegation. The child is growing up without a dad. 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. Harrowing CCTV footage, a slew of terrorising text messages and inconsistent displays of remorse are just some of the key pieces of evidence which helped a jury to successfully convict a twisted step-mother and callous dad of killing his little boy. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. 2023 BBC. She organised a meeting with Arthur's father and grandmother about her concerns that the boy was developing an obsession with topics such as guns, death and the news, along with fears about being separated from or killed by his father. 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.. [20][21], In July 2021, Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow was convicted of the manslaughter of her partner, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. In particular, he suffered a detached retina which a pathologist said was 'very, very rare' in child head trauma cases. She is pregnant with my child. Just a few months later, he was gaunt, malnourished and too weak to hold a glass of water Mr Jarman had smuggled him. Severely underweight at the time of his murder, he was a hungry boy who would not eat because the food he was given was inedible. She said: "I was not near Arthur. Please don't keep Emma in custody. Cellmates of evil stepmum who murdered arthur, 6, lace her food with salt. Hughes was found not guilty on counts 4 and 5. 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. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was the son of Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow and Thomas Hughes. The 32-year-old was said to have "bristled with hostility" towards Arthur. Verdicts returned in murder trial of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes Hughes later told Tustin he had 'basically held my hands up'. Thomas Hughes ate ice cream in front of his starving six-year-old boy, Six-year-old boy Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was murdered by his step mum, Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Emma Tustin, Undated handout photo issued by West Midlands Police of Thomas Hughes. After getting home, Tustin went upstairs to use cosmetics at about 2pm. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Man accused of helping to murder son 'probably' valued lover over child, court told Thomas Hughes, 29, denied prosecution claims he was an "utterly ruthless, unthinking and pitiless" parent and that he "relished in abusing" his six-year-old child. He would stand there alone while his father enjoyed chocolates and other treats in the kitchen with Tustin and her own children. (modern). One witness said the previously happy and healthy boy looked "as though he were broken" on the day of his death. 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 described his appearance as skeletal and said his legs were shaking like he couldnt hold himself up. [16] The head of Solihull council reported that social workers had been forced to leave their homes due to abuse and threats related to the case. 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. Hughes allegedly spoke of putting him up for adoption. Both defendants denied being responsible, or even knowing salt poisoning was a factor in Arthur's death until much later. 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. Dr. John Hughes, MD, Family Medicine | Norwalk, OH | WebMD My mum, my dad. She explained she was told Arthur had a playfight with Tustin's son which resulted in both being hurt. Tustin had inflicted a catastrophic brain injury by shaking him and repeatedly slamming his head into a hard surface. May 2020: Tustins stepfather, John Dutton, said he made an anonymous referral to social services because he felt Arthur was in danger. He died on 17 June 2020. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. He sent the photos to an officer but never heard back. Joshua Hughes - CEO and Legal Counsel - LinkedIn But the evidence undermined the act. 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. Shortly after 13:00 that day, the family was back home. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes Websleuths - UK - Arthur Labinjo Hughes, 6 I realise now I made it a lot harder for myself.". 'C***' was a favourite insult of the foul-mouthed pair. He wanted Tustin, her children and their unborn baby, and not Arthur. [19] The trial related to the case of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes took place at a similar time to the one related to the Murder of Star Hobson, another young child who was abused and killed by carers. 'no-one loves me' and 'no-one is going to feed me', The jury was told that Arthur's head injuries, Which jail is Emma Tustin in? She was told that Arthur's injuries had been sustained in a fight with Tustin's son. Tustin and Hughes manipulated visitors, told them his bruises were down to play. It was not intentional," he added. Mr Hankin branded her a 'pitiless, cruel woman' who 'hated' Arthur. 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'. In another, the fear stricken boy yelled 'daddy's going to throw me out the window'. 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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. 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Since the disappearance, reddit and websleuths users have been commenting on. She made multiple references to him 'winning'. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, collapsed from fatal injuries at a home in Shirley, Solihull on June 16 last year. All the while, Arthur was cut off from those who loved him and could help him. Tuesday 16 June 2020 started the same as any other for six-year-old Arthur . [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. 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. Thomas Hughes and Tustin's behaviour towards Arthur became increasingly neglectful, with Arthur forced to spend extended periods isolated from the rest of the household. Shortly after the conviction, the government announced that there would be a national inquiry into the case. The court also heard Tustin wanted the CCTV. It was not intentional," he added. I just heard it.". They all agreed that the most likely mechanism that caused the injuries was a shaking-type motion with one or more impacts. She branded the couple cold, calculating and wicked. He tried to seduce Tustin to have sex while Arthur was in the hallway, and in one text he told her to 'put him outside or wherever, give him away, put him out with the rubbish'. [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. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes' gran says 'I have failed' & blasts selfish Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow is referred to using her surname throughout this article. The couple were struck by the state of the boy they had last seen in February. Another unusual feature was the fact Tustin obsessively recorded more than 200 voice notes of Arthur during lockdown. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, 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. 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'. 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. [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. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Man accused of helping to murder son 'probably The camera in the living room captured Arthur slumped on the floor. "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. 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. From prison, Arthur's mother said the memory of her young son she would treasure the most was his smile. She refuted the allegation. 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. Tustin had more than 200 audio recordings of Arthur in distress on her phone, including two particularly . I was not there. I can't account for it. This culminated on 17 June 2020 with Tustin[a] killing Arthur[b] via blunt force trauma to his head. The day before Arthur died he joked about paying someone to 'dig Arthur's grave'. The fly on the wall CCTV footage, the terrorising text messages and a capitulation in the witness box. In the witness box told the jury he was simply covering for Tustin, who he now 'hated' and saw in a 'completely different light'. Six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes subjected to "incomprehensible" suffering in the days and weeks running up to his . Serious questions are now being asked of authorities which could have intervened to save Arthur. The alleged incident took place. Thomas Hughes is referred to using his full-name throughout this article to make clear the distinction from his son. 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. Tustin maintained she has used salt for the same purpose whilst being in custody. In one message she said 'f****** launch this lying little f***' and in another she warned she was 'going to chin this little c***'. Thursday 2 December 2021 17:54, UK He said the messages were so constant they became 'boring', and he stopped listening to them. Beyond shame and sadness, the only fitting response is a promise to . Boy, 6, was 'poisoned' with so much salt he was 'unable to fight [9][10] At the beginning of the lockdown, Arthur and his father were staying in Tustin's home. She doesn't need it.". Thomas Hughes would frequently threaten violence against his son. Between June 12 to June 14 he was ordered to stay there for more than 35 hours in total. Tustin and Hughes. 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. Someone supposedly 'stuck in the middle' of a bad situation, but ultimately with Arthur's best interests in mind. 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. Guardian Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, waters and community. The court also heard Tustin wanted the CCTV because she was fearful of Arthur making allegations about her. Michelle Hull, safeguarding lead at Dickens Heath Community primary school, contacted social services but was told they had no concerns. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes died after being left alone with Emma Tustin last year. This provider currently accepts 64 insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. The transcripts of Hughes' seven police interviews were a bombshell. She explained she was told Arthur had a playfight with Tustin's son which resulted in both being hurt. 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. helped a jury convict a sadistic dad and step-mother, Live updates as 'evil' stepmum and dad found guilty of murder of Arthur. "I effectively killed my son. Ms Tustin took pictures and recorded audio clips and videos of Arthur being punished, sending them to Mr Hughes, jurors were told. 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. 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 . ", 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.". Tustin was equally vile. Tustin would record more than 200 clips of him in distress, including two particularly harrowing recordings where Arthur is heard begging in tears, "I want you to feed me, no one's going to feed me" and crying "no one loves me". 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. The explanations of what happened, as they emerge, are sure to be painful. I don't want Emma to suffer.". I didn't want to lose another child and the only way I could protect that child was to try and protect Emma from it all and take the blame for myself.". The Guardian view on Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: more lessons to learn The transcripts of Hughes' seven police interviews were a bombshell. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: A life cut short by cruelty - BBC News The jury were told how Arthur was made to stand in isolation for up to 14 hours a day, was frequently assaulted, deprived of food and water as well as poisoned with salt. While much of the exchanges were inaudible Tustin could be heard regularly asking what Hughes had said to the police. The day before Arthur died he joked about paying someone to 'dig Arthur's grave'. By contrast, Hughes was emotionless in the witness box. [8] Twelve minutes later, after phoning Thomas Hughes, Tustin called 999 and told medics that he "fell and banged his head and while on the floor banged his head another five times". 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. Here is the timeline of events leading up to his death. She was not to see him again until he was fighting for his life in intensive care.