Arthur’s father, Thomas Hughes (29), was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Friday, while stepmother Emma Tustin (32) was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 29 years for the assault and murder.
The 6-year-old, who lived with his family in Solihull near Birmingham, was poisoned, starved and beaten by his father and stepmother – and his treatment was described as a long-term, “evil abuse”.
Convicted of brutal murder of 5-year-old
– One of the worst
The boy died on June 16 last year as a result of a fatal head injury, inflicted by the stepmother. He was found in the home with 130 bruises, according to The Guardian.
West Midlands police investigator Laura Harrison described the case as one of the worst cases of child abuse ever.
– We often do not see what is going on behind closed doors, but in this case we did, she says, according to The Guardian.
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Sound clips
In court, surveillance photos from the home in Solihull were shown. During a 44-second clip that was shown, the boy said seven times “no one is going to feed me”. In another 23-second clip, he said four times “no one loves me”, according to the BBC.
The boy is said to have been forced to stand upright for up to 14 hours straight without food and drink.
According to the prosecution, the 6-year-old was subjected to “incomprehensible and escalating cruelty” in the time leading up to his death. Among other things, the stepmother is said to have served him food with too much salt, something that is harmful to health.
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– Evil
In court, Judge Mark Wall described the case as one of the most “disturbing” he has dealt with, according to BBC.
“The vicious and inhuman treatment Arthur received was a deliberate act by you, and you rejected his cry for help as indecency,” Wall said in court.
SENTENCED: Arthur’s father, Thomas Hughes (29), was sentenced on Friday to 21 years in prison. Photo: West Midlands Police
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The judge stated that it was particularly disturbing that the stepmother’s own two children lived a happy life in the house, at the same time as Arthur was abused.
Both the father and the stepmother deny criminal guilt. The latter refused to be present in court during the sentencing.
LIFE: Stepmother Emma Tustin (32) was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 29 years for the assault and murder. Photo: West Midlands Police
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Referred to Attorney General
After MP Julian Knight – elected from Solihull – expressed that the verdict against the father and stepmother was too lenient and that the case should be appealed, the Attorney General confirmed that it is under consideration, writes Sky News.
– I can confirm that the judgments of Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes have been referred to the Attorney General for review to determine if they are too low, it is stated in a statement from the Attorney General.
Conch may have solved the murder mystery
Sent concern messages
The 6-year-old’s grandmother, Joanne Hughes, said in court that she had previously provided photos of the boy’s injuries to the police and child welfare services, but that nothing was done.
“It is clear that Arthur was let down by the same authorities that we, as a society, believe are there to ensure the safety of all,” she said. BBC.
Former British Minister for Children Tim Loughton also spoke Sky News that it is important to learn from this case.
– The question we have to ask ourselves is why the system did not work to protect this child, he says.
MEMORIAL MOMENT: A memorial service was held for Arthur Labinjo-Hughes ahead of the match between Chelsea FC and West Ham on Saturday. Photo: NTB / Barrington Coombs / PA Photos
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Ahead of the match between Chelsea FC and West Ham on Saturday, a memorial service was held for the boy.
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