Arthur Labinjo Hughes is finally able to be laid to Rest after Thomas, Arthur’s father, released his body to burial 18 months following the murder.
According to his lawyer, the 29-year old was sentenced to 21 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter. He had been previously ‘passive’ and wanted to give a tiny bit of peace’ to Arthur’s mother Olivia LabinjoHalcrow.
Earlier this week Arthur’s maternal grandmother, Madeleine Halcrow, told MailOnline her grandson’s body remains in the mortuary of Leicester Royal Infirmary – where the post-mortem was carried out 16-months ago – due to a legal dispute over who has the right to lay him to rest.
After hearing from Arthur’s stepmother Emma Tustin, a judge ruled that Thomas was a ‘pitiless and wicked’ man who subjected Arthur to horrific abuses during last year’s Covid lockdown.
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, pictured with his ‘pitiless’ father Thomas Hughes. Following his conviction for manslaughter he was sent to prison. The 29 year-old was previously considered ‘passive,’ but decided to make a small gesture of peace to Arthur’s mother Olivia Labinjo Halcrow.
Emma Tustin (32), murdered Arthur repeatedly by repeatedly hitting his head against a hard surface. Hughes and she had starved Arthur and poisoned him using salt.
Jurors were told that Tustin (32), violently shaken the child, probably against the wall in the hall, at her house on Cranmore Road, Solihull, June 16, 2020.
Bernard Richmond QC, barrister for Hughes told Birmingham Live his client had wanted to leave the issue of Arthur’s remains to his and Ms Labinjo-Halcrow’s family to resolve – and only stepped in when they could not agree.
Arthur’s biological mother, Ms Labinjo Halcrow, is now in jail for stabbing her lover to death in a drunken and drug-fuelled rage in 2019. Arthur’s father Hughes met Tustin via the Plenty of Fish dating site and was soon in her clutches. The couple moved to Tustin’s house in March 2020. Arthur was then tortured, poisoned using salt and finally beaten.
Six-year-old suffered from ‘unsurvivable brain damage’ and 130 injuries all over his body. Also, he had been tortured and poisoned by salt. He was forced to stand for 14 hours per day.
Madeleine Halcrow is Arthur’s maternal grandma. She told MailOnline her grandson’s remains are in Leicester Royal Infirmary, where the postmortem was performed 16 months ago, due to a dispute about who gets to put him to sleep.
Richmond stated that he spoke with him, and that this cannot continue. I was instructed by him to tell Arthur that his remains must be taken to his mother after the funeral. He must also have full control over his ashes.
“He really hopes that he will give Olivia even a little bit of peace.”
Meanwhile, Nadhim Zahawi today launched a review of how officials dealt with the case of tragic six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, as he said ‘no government can legislate for evil’ but ministers would ‘take action to stop it whenever we can’.
The Education Secretary said the review by the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel will scrutinise the world of Solihull Children’s Safeguarding Partnerships, while police and probation inspectors would carry out their own linked inspections.
Olivia LabinjoHalcrow, Arthur’s mother (left), is currently in prison after she fatally stabbed her lover during a “drink-and-drug-fuelled rage” in 2019.
After it was revealed in court that Arthur had been examined by social workers two months prior to his death and they determined there were no safeguarding concerns.
After being found guilty for her son’s murder, Tustin, the boy’s stepmother, was sent to Coventry Crown Court for a life sentence. Hughes received a 21-year sentence for manslaughter.
Mr Zahawi confirmed a review and targeted inspection will take place as part of efforts to assess why things went ‘horrifyingly wrong and what more could be done to prevent abuse such as this happening again’.
According to him, MPs have been informed that the government has strengthened multi-agency cooperation since the tragic deaths of Peter Connelly and Daniel Pelka. This means the police, health and council departments in each area are now able to share the same duty to promote and protect the wellbeing of children. Schools also play a part.
“I’m sure that members of the House will recognize that there have been improvements since previous reviews. But the real question is now whether this is sufficient.
Jurors learned that Tustin beat the child violently and banged his head against the wall. This was likely while he was in Arthur’s sole care at home in Cranmore Road. Solihull. She then callously took a photo of the unconscious youngster on her mobile phone – while he lay dying – and sent the image to Hughes
Mr Zahawi, on the targeted area inspection jointly by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and HM Inspectorate of Probation, said: ‘This will mean we can truly look at where improvements are needed by all the agencies tasked with protecting children in the Solihull area, so that we can be assured that we are doing everything in our power to protect other children and prevent such evil crimes.’
Minister said that the review will examine how social workers can ‘work directly alongside families’ instead of relying on a computer.
He added: ‘Sunlight is the best possible disinfectant, because if we are to improve services we must share data and evidence.
“As Arthur was told by the court, Arthur’s death tragic resulted from the cruelty of his father as well as his father’s partner.
“No government anywhere in the world has the power to legislate for evil. However, we will act wherever it is possible to put an end to it.
‘We must do more. Anyone suspecting child abuse should contact their local authority.
Report any concerns or problems you have.
Boris Johnson, speaking on Friday in Shropshire during a campaign visit, promised that he would leave no stone unturned to determine what went wrong.
He stated that it was important to be able to draw lessons from the experience and determine what could have been done in order to safeguard the child.
Responding to Mr Zahawi, Labour said the government had ‘tolerated failure’ in children’s services across the country and this must end.
Bridget Phillipson, shadow education secretary, told the Commons that failure should not be accepted as a result of any public service. Protecting children is a prime example of this.
“For too long, the Government tolerated failures in children’s services and an inability to protect them.
A lot of children who are vulnerable to abuse and neglect is happening, which cannot be continued. Now, the Secretary of State should outline how he intends to combat that culture.
“That’s the challenge that he must face and it is by this standard that he will be evaluated.”
Nadhim Zhawi, Education Secretary, replied to the question: “She talked about a long journey and I would recognize that there are many challenges. But it is worth praise the team at the department as well as in local government across the country.
He mentioned the improvement in Ofsted inspections in local authorities during the last year. From 37 percent to 50 percent rating good in England, this number has risen to fifty percent.
A large number of people gathered in front Tustin’s old address, where Arthur was murdered, on Sunday afternoon to release balloons and to lay flowers as a tribute.
The balloons rose into the air and were clapped by the crowd. There was even a string with letters reading ‘Arthur’. Others placed drawings and posters on the property to pay tribute to the 6-year-old.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that Hughes and Tustin’s sentences will be reviewed on Saturday.
AGOs have 28 days to review cases, determine whether they fall under Unduly Lenient Sentence and decide whether or not to refer them to the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal makes an order in the case that has been referred.
A spokesperson from the AGO stated that: “The Attorney General’s thoughts and prayers are with Arthur’s family.
“I confirm that Emma Tustin’s and Thomas Hughes’ sentences were referred to Attorney General to be reviewed to see if they are too low.
Arthur’s Solihull home, which was used by Hughes and Tustin in 2020
Pictured: Arthur, six years old with Tustin and father Hughes
According to an NSPCC spokesperson, “We are united in our determination that every stone must be taken when determining exactly what occurred before Arthur’s death and whether we can do more to preserve and save Arthur.”
“This should be a turning point in our lives, in which we all ask difficult questions about the things we can do to ensure that children are safe at home, work, and abroad.
“We are pleased to announce a national review on Arthur’s tragic death, and an inspection of the partnership work arrangements. It is up to the government to act upon these findings.
“Everyone can play a part in making sure children are safe. We need political leadership at a national level – including addressing the significant shortfall facing children’s services. We need multi-agency, effective early intervention for abuse concerns at the local level.
Susanna Reid charges the leader of social workers with trying to shift blame for Arthur’s death. She suggested that Arthur’s grandmother had done more to report Arthur’s ‘unusual bruising’, even though she did tell social workers.
Susanna Reid said she was’stunned” today by an accusation of child protection experts. Arthur Labinjo Hughes’s grandmother was responsible for telling social workers and medics that he had bruising around his back.
Wendy Thorogood is the chair of the Association of Child Protection Professionals. She stated that referring injuries to doctors could result in a quicker response than telling social workers.
Joanne Hughes took photographs of Arthur’s bruises and referred him to Solihull Council. After concluding that the bruises had been caused by play, social workers visited Arthur the next day and reported “no concerns”.
He was placed under ‘unimaginable’ torture by Thomas Hughes and Emma Tustin three months later.
Joanne Hughes (Arctic’s grandmother) took photographs of Arthur’s bruises and referred it to Solihull Council
Wendy Thorogood chair of Association of Child Protection Professionals said that referral to medical professionals could yield a faster response than telling social workers. Susanna is left’stunned.
Susanna Reid interviewed Ms Thorogood and said that the Good Morning Britain host was shocked at Ms Hughes’ suggestion of doing more.
She responded, “I’m sorry.
If you want to be treated as the grandmother, [Ms Hughes]”It’s all down to ”…’
Ms. Thorogood said, “I did not say that it was down to the grandmother. But at the moment the child could’ve been medically evaluated.” Although my words may sound twisted, it is what I meant. It would have stopped a delay.
Martin Lewis, Ms Reid’s cohost, invited Ms Thorogood for a discussion about Arthur’s case and the possible ways that social services might have responded.
M. Lewis started by asking Wendy: “There are many lessons to learn here Wendy. But I think if you start with the larger question: Can this ever stop from happening again? Is that even possible?”
Ms. Thorogood said, “I think that we must believe that it’s possible to make a change, but that 70 or more children may die each year. We’re still learning lessons, and this has been going on for many decades and is something we are constantly working to address.”
Ms Reid joined the fray and stated: “It was possible to save Arthur, and it wouldn’t be true to claim that his crimes were unheard because Arthur’s grandparents raised concerns, and his uncle raised concerns. Social services visited.” How do I notify social services if my grandparent is concerned?
Ms Thorogood responded, “As professionals they need to be trained to recognize where there is manipulation.”
“Just one, I want you to notice the bruising. It was clearly shared with social services and the photograph was shared to police. I don’t criticize her actions in any way, but it would have been nice if that child was actually there to seek medical assistance.
“Because you have the ability to take a photo at any moment, it is possible to use the evidence. However, health workers also make up part of this system, which could have helped trigger a faster multi-system assessment.
Ms Reid was curious: “When you use the word “she”, are you referring to the social worker?” Ms. Thorogood replied, ‘The grandmother. I’m asking anyone who is concerned about the child with visible bruises to seek medical attention if she has taken the picture.
An incredulous Ms Reid responded: “I’m sorry to interrupt, but she went into social services. Do you mean that social service couldn’t intervene? The grandmother had to look for further assistance?”
Ms. Thorogood replied: “It would trigger intervention. It triggered the point of social workers going out, but it was the matter of delaying and severity of when it was seen. I don’t criticize anyone who makes a referral.
Ms Reid stated, “I don’t get why you suggest that the grandmother should do more,”
Ms Thorogood said she wasn’t trying to blame Arthur’s grandmother. She was giving tips for people who might be in similar situations.
Wendy swiftly responded, “I don’t think the grandmother could do more. But, I want to stress, I can’t say that the grandmother should have done anything less. I just said for the future that if you see any unusual bruises, get medical attention as well as share that information with the social services as it would set off the process.
“I’m sorry. I’m just shocked,” Ms Reid, mother of three said. “Because I thought that once you called social service, they trigger the process. They’re responsible for the outcome, and have legal rights.
And if you believe the grandmother is telling you, “actually it’s up to you ‘…’
“I did not say that it was down to the grandmother. I am saying at this moment in time that the child could be medically,” Ms Thorogood replied. “I’m not trying to be a snob, my words are distorted. I just said that this would have prevented delays.
“They have forfeited your right to live”: Arthur Labinjo Hughes’s grandfather said that no punishment would be enough for the murderers who made Arthur reconsider his opposition to death penalty
Peter Halcrow (61), Arthur’s grandfather
Kaya Terry, MailOnline
Arthur Labinjo Hughes, the grandfather who lost his son to murderers has said that no punishment would be enough for him.
Peter Halcrow (61), Dunkeld, Perthshire said Emma Tustin, and Thomas Hughes had ‘forfeited the right to live’, and that they should ‘never be seen again’ after his grandsons’ tragic death.
Tustin was placed in prison for life by Coventry Crown Court, having been found guilty of murder. Thomas Hughes, his father was sentenced 21 years.
He declared: “They will never see daylight again.” This couple could never be punished enough.
He told The Sun that he had never supported the death penalty, even though he acknowledged mistakes could be made in courts. However, he stated that despite this, they had forfeited their right of life.
Boris Johnson, in an effort to avoid another tragic event like Arthur’s murder, is likely to launch a broad-based inquiry into Arthur’s murder.
“It will cost taxpayers but they don’t have capital penalty so they shouldn’t be sent to prison for any cruelty or inhumanity.
His grandfather who owns a café said that he was shocked and confused by the fact that Thomas and Tustin were able get away with such horrible abuses without social workers raising an immediate safeguarding concern.
Peter is Arthur’s father. Olivia LabinjoHalcrow (29), was Arthur’s biological mom. She killed Gary Cunningham in drunken rage by stabbing him twelve times with a kitchen knives.
In July 2021, she was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of manslaughter and sentenced to eleven years imprisonment.
Hughes and Tustin bought a hot tub to enjoy the spring 2020 heatwave – while forcing Arthur to stand for hours in their sweltering hallway wearing a heavy, fluffy onesie
This announcement is coming as the government has announced an extensive review into the circumstances surrounding Arthur’s death, which took place six years ago.
The report will help to identify the needs of the various agencies that were in touch with Arthur before he was killed by Emma Tustin at his Solihull house.
National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, who will be leading the review, will support Solihull Children’s Safeguarding Partnership in ‘upgrading’ the local review that was started shortly after Arthur’s sudden death in June 2020.