As he forced his son to stand still wearing a onesie and a fluffy white shirt on a hot day, the father of a “wicked” child bought him an ice cream.
Thomas Hughes (29), subjected Arthur Labinjo–Hughes, to a “persistent campaign de cruelty” and was’relished during his distress’ while locked down, according to testimony from a jury.
Arthur was fatally injured in the brain and died on 16 June 2013. He had been allegedly murdered with Hughes’ 32-year-old partner Emma Tustin.
The child had been allegedly poisoned by salt and starved before his death. He was then made to stand for hours in the hallway, day after days, week after weeks.
Hughes and Tustin both denied murder at Coventry Crown Court.
Jonas Hankin (QC), prosecutor, stated to the court Hughes is an “utterly brutal, unthinking and pitiless” father. He struck Arthur repeatedly.
He added that Hughes is a ‘short-tempered wicked man… who took out his frustrations on a defenceless, isolated child’.
Arthur Labinjo Hughes (right), 6 years old, is pictured together with Thomas Hughes (left), 29 who denies murder and 4 counts of child cruelty
Arthur was placed in the care of his dad after Olivia LabinjoHalcrow (his mother) was accused of murdering her new partner in February 2019.
Hughes first met Tustin, a mother of four children online. They moved in together to Arthur’s home near Solihull when Arthur was ill.
According to court records, social workers had been called to Arthur’s home by his grandmother two months before his death. However, no additional action was taken.
However, Mr Hankin told the court Hughes had a plan to cheat social workers, coaching Arthur’s and Tustins children to lie about their injuries.
He explained that Emma was afraid of losing her children if the authorities got involved if she saw the suspect.
Hughes gave evidence at his trial and stated that he “wanted the truth” and was unable to feel comfortable. But, Tustin warned him and said it was her who coerced Hughes into telling a lie.
Arthur had 125 areas of bruises on his body when he was discovered on June 16, 2020.
Hughes and Tustin are said to have allegedly subjected Hughes to intimidation and violence in a ‘brutal setting’ just before his death.
Arthur was also found to have consumed so much salt upon his death that medics at Birmingham Children’s Hospital questioned their machinery.
Arthur was reportedly murdered with Hughes’ partner Emma Tustin and died from an insurmountable brain injury.
Hughes and Tustin allegedly deprived the child of food and water as they ate take-out.
The court heard that he was required to remain standing for at least 14 hours per day for upto a month.
Hughes claimed that he was being manipulated by Tustin, was too scared to speak out, but the prosecutors claim Hughes ‘chosen a side and selected Emma over Arthur’.
Arthur was alone in the hallway wearing a fluffy onesie and a fluffy shirt on a hot day when his father bought ice creams from Tustin’s van on one occasion.
Hankin stated that he heard the van coming and so he went outside the house and purchased two icecreams.
‘When you came back you opened the door, and you went past Arthur holding your ice creams didn’t you.
“Here, you two are — isn’t that total disdain for your son?”
The court was also told that Tustin once again shook, then struck Arthur’s head against a hard surface alone.
Medical experts have rejected her claim that the boy died due to self-inflicted injury.
Jurors were told that Hughes “encouraged” Arthur’s murder in a telephone call less than 3 minutes prior to his death.
Text messages sent to Tustin included remarks by Hughes to ‘fill him in’, ‘take his neck off his c***ing shoulders’ and ‘get nasty’, the court heard.
The jurors were informed that he also stated that he wanted to “give him away” and “put him in with the garbage”.
Hughes claims he never wanted to hurt Arthur.
One witness testified before the court that the child had been too weak to hold onto a glass water the day before.
He also stated that his clothes were dirty and his lips were cracked.
Tustin stated that Arthur’s injuries had been self-inflicted in a call to 999 just 12 minutes following Arthur’s death.
He allegedly smashed his head on the ground on all fours, according to her.
Daniel Du Plessis, neuropathologist and consultant to Arthur said it was impossible for Arthur to sustain severe head injuries.
Coventry Crown Court: Hughes and Tustin stand trial on charges of Arthur’s murder.
Arthur, he said, was shaken by a’very strong force’.
Hankin opened the trial by saying that both defendants were involved in a campaign to cruelty Arthur intended to do him significant pain and suffering. Violence, as well as intimidation verbal or physical, was a common occurrence.
‘Arthur’s visible injuries, his miserable physical condition and obvious despair provided each defendant with a daily reminder of the lengths to which the other would go to cause him harm.’
Hughes stated that he feels ‘disgusted’ about himself when questioned by Bernard Richmond, his barrister.
He stated that the decision to stay in Tustin was not the right one and that it will be a lasting memory.
Tustin admitted to one charge of child cruelty, but denied three other counts. Hughes denied four child cruelty counts.
Continue the trial.