Susanna Reid was able to break down as Arthur Labinjo Hughes’ grandmother collapsed on Good Morning Britain.
Madeleine Halcrow was visibly moved by the story of her grandmother’s efforts to help her grandson, six years old.
Emma Tustin was the stepmother of Arthur and was executed for him. Emma was convicted of killing six-year-old Arthur in Solihull West Midlands.
His father, Thomas Hughes, was also jailed for 21 years after being convicted of manslaughter for encouraging the killing, including by sending a text message to Tustin hours before the fatal assault telling her ‘just end him’.
On Good Morning Britain today, his grandmother Madeleine Halcrow made her first television appearance to discuss the opportunities to save Arthur that were missed.
Martin Lewis was Martin’s co-host and asked him: ‘Arthur’s paternal grandmother reached out to you about the bruises, didn’t they?
Madeline, a nurse explained that Thomas’ mother Joanna Hughes visited her and Chris.
Arthur Labinjo Hughes died at the hands of Emma Tustin in Solihull.
Madeline said that Joanna stated they had discovered bruises on Arthur. She said, “She showed.” [me the pictures]And I immediately said that these are not accidental injures and were caused by an adult’s hand.
“I replied, “On his right shoulder, I can see three fingers. On his left shoulder, there are two more. This is because he was hit with something or pushed against something.”
Madeline, who was in the throes of tears, said that the worst thing about me and Jo is that there are new bruises.
This comes just as Ms Halcrow stated that warnings regarding Arthur Labinjo–Hughes’ treatment were ignored, and that something was broken in the system that ensures his safety.
Emma Tustin was Arthur’s stepmother, and she was sent to Coventry Crown Court for a life sentence with a minimum term 29 years. She had been convicted in six years of Arthur’s murder.
Thomas Hughes, his father was sentenced at 21 years to manslaughter.
Susanna Reid was overcome with tears as Arthur Labinjo Hughes’ grandmother, Arthur Labinjo Hughes, broke down during Good Morning Britain. She recalled her efforts to save her grandson.
Arthur’s maternal grandmother stated that they showed no remorse and had shown no sympathy for the couple, labeling them “depraved people” who were “sadistic, tortureous, evil, calculating, and torturous.”
Madeleine Halcrow described her grandson, as being ‘the most happy child’, before he moved in with his stepfather and father after the UK entered lockdown. She expressed anger at the organizations responsible for his safety.
She spoke out in a very tearful interview to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, saying that she was angry at the inter-agency because communication wasn’t being passed on somewhere. You know the saying “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”. It is obvious that something is wrong with this system, and needs to be repaired.
Arthur’s maternal grandfather Peter Halcrow stated that warnings were given by Arthur’s paternal grandparents. He was well loved and cared for by them.
He said that the BBC Radio 4 Today’s Today broadcasters were “decent people” and had expressed concern.
He continued, “I cannot understand why nothing was done about it.”
‘I don’t know anyone who runs Solihull Social Services or who came round to the home, but they were called. And they should have taken a picture of the property, so they could have felt that all was well.
“There have been other phone calls to West Midlands Police, but they were not answered. The boy’s abuse is quite shocking and it’s difficult to believe that this was a simple case.
He suggested that somebody should have been there when the alarm bells rang.
When asked what he thought he wanted to see in the reviews of the situation for his six-year old son, he said that it wasn’t as though it were a ‘passing through’ kind of thing. People were pointing out problems, so social services intervened and told them there wasn’t anything to be concerned. The boy died three- or four months later.
“How are you going to ask me about what I want them to think? You mean they have to make a checklist.
“If there are alarm bells ringing in the neighbourhood, or neighbour statements, it is likely that someone or something can intervene and tell you: “Right, let’s take that child out of this situation,” you know.
“If the father cannot do it himself, then somebody has to tell the child: “This child is in pain and requires help.” and remove them from the situation. That’s why social services exist, I suppose.
The couple that caused his death was Mr Halcrow who said they were responsible had committed an ‘heinous offense’ in the murder of a defenceless, uninjured boy.
Halcrow stated that: “I would never give them the time or want them to see any light ever again.”
Arthur suffered a permanent brain injury and was placed under the exclusive care of Tustin.
On June 16, 2013, she was found guilty of the murder of Arthur, a defenseless victim in her Cranmore Road house in Solihull.
Arthur died the following day in hospital after his body had been covered with 130 bruises.
Ms Halcrow spoke out about the prison sentences, saying that life should be lived. Arthur was taken from him, and he won’t get his life back. He’s also not going have any children.
Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector at Ofsted, stated that they would be beginning work next week on an investigation into child protection services in Solihull (where Arthur Labinjo–Hughes was killed).
Today spoke to her: “It’s certainly not an investigation of this case. However, we will be looking at how the services together are handling child protection right now and what improvements could be made.”