Advertisement

Grandmother of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes in tears during vigil for murdered six-year-old

Watch: Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Grandmother pays tribute

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’ grandmother Madeline Halcrow broke down in tears at a vigil held for the murdered six-year-old on Sunday.

The maternal grandmother of the murdered six-year-old was joined by dozens of residents, who had gathered outside the house in Cransmore Road, Solihill, where Arthur was killed.

Emma Tustin was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years at Coventry Crown Court on Friday after being found guilty of torturing and murdering her stepson Arthur.

Tustin, 32, repeatedly banged Arthur’s head on a hard surface in the hours leading up to his death. She and 29-year-old Thomas Hughes, the child’s father, carried out a campaign of abuse, including starvation and then force-feeding him food covered in salt.

Mr Hughes was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter after encouraging the “evil” killing.

People release balloons during a tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes outside Emma Tustin’s former address in Solihull (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
People release balloons during a tribute to six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes outside Emma Tustin’s former address in Solihull (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
Flowers were laid at the scene (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
Flowers were laid at the scene (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

Residents gathered outside the property and released dozens of balloons in tribute to the youngster.

Ms Halcrow was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with Arthur’s face and could be seen wiping away tears.

Residents, some with tears in their eyes, could be heard saying “bye Arthur” and “fly high always”.

Posters with the words “You are loved Arthur” were placed on a boarded-up window.

A Birmingham City flag was also placed at the scene, along with a picture of Arthur.

Family and friends embrace in the street (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
Family and friends embrace in the street (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

The Government has announced a major review into the circumstances which led to the murder, aiming to determine what improvements are needed by the agencies that came into contact with Arthur before his death.

The National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel will lead the review and will provide additional support to Solihull Children’s Safeguarding Partnership.

It emerged in court the boy had been seen by social workers just two months before his death, but they concluded there were “no safeguarding concerns”.

Watch: Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Tustin and Hughes 'must never see light of day again', says grandfather of six-year-old

Read More

UK Covid travel: What countries are on the red list?

Stormont Assembly to debate ban on hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland

PM says drugs ‘bad for society’ as he pledges crackdown on dealers and users