Tragic Arthur's 'grandmother was threatened with ARREST for trying to help'

Tragic Arthur's 'grandmother was threatened with ARREST for trying to help'
Tragic Arthur's 'grandmother was threatened with ARREST for trying to help'

Police told the grandmother of a six-year-old boy who was allegedly murdered by his parents she would be arrested if she returned to the house, a court has heard.

An officer told Thomas Hughes' mother and brother Daniel not to see Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at the house in Solihull, West Midlands, the jury was told.

The West Midlands Police worker was said to be reluctant to accept pictures highlighting the alleged abuse Arthur had suffered, Coventry Crown Court heard.

Daniel told jurors he never heard back from the force despite the images showing bruises on the boy's back.

The youngster was allegedly killed after suffering devastating abuse at the hands of Hughes, 29, and his new partner Emma Tustin, 32.

The couple subjected Arthur to systematic abuse 'designed to terrorise' the youngster, the court heard.

Arthur was allegedly deprived of food, forced to stand in a hallway for 14 hours a day and poisoned with salt before being killed at his home last June.

Tustin and Hughes deny murder and multiple counts of child cruelty.

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, was allegedly killed after suffering systemic abuse which matched the 'medical definition of child torture'. His father Thomas Hughes, 29, and stepmother Emma Tustin, 32, deny murder and child abuse

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, six, was allegedly killed after suffering systemic abuse which matched the 'medical definition of child torture'. His father Thomas Hughes, 29, and stepmother Emma Tustin, 32, deny murder and child abuse 

Tustin (pictured) and Hughes are said to have subjected Arthur to systematic cruelty 'designed to torture' the youngster

Tustin (pictured) and Hughes are said to have subjected Arthur to systematic cruelty 'designed to torture' the youngster 

Jurors were today told how Arthur's uncle and paternal grandmother raised concerns with social services and police in April 2020 after finding the bruises.

She took photographs of the injuries to the boy's back before telling social services she was 'concerned' for her grandson.

But the secondary school teacher said in evidence: 'They did not want to see them. I did offer but they did not want to see them.'

Mrs Hughes claimed Arthur confided to her how Tustin had also banged his head against a wall and called him a 'horrible little brat'.

Daniel claimed he also sent photos of the youngster's bruises to police after trying to visit Tustin's home with other relatives, but never heard back.

He said: 'I went on the West Midlands Police webchat to enquire as to what I could do for the safety of my nephew.

'I had a webchat with an operative. He gave me a case number and within ten minutes a private number called me.

'A police officer identified himself, who said he had been around to the address and spoke with Miss Tustin and Tom. We were advised if we were to return to the address we would be arrested.

'I said I had photos of Arthur's injuries and I didn't believe that if he had seen those injuries, he would be happy that he was okay.

'He reluctantly received the photos and said he would speak to his sergeant and get back to me. He never did.'

Arthur collapsed with 'unsurvivable brain injuries' on Tuesday, June 16, and died the following day at Birmingham children's hospital

Arthur collapsed with 'unsurvivable brain injuries' on Tuesday, June 16, and died the following day at Birmingham children's hospital 

The court also heard today the 'bullying' father told a doctor to say 'sorry' to his boy before his life support was switched off.

Hughes sobbed 'it's all my fault' after being informed no more could be done for Arthur, the jury was told.

The trial in Coventry heard a policeman describe the moment a consultant at Birmingham Children's Hospital informed Hughes over the telephone that further treatment for Arthur would be futile.

PC Cameron Bennett told jurors: 'He was very upset. He said ''it's all my fault, it's all my fault''.

'He asked the consultant to apologise to Arthur on his behalf to tell him that he was sorry.'

Prosecutors allege Arthur was subjected to months of cruelty by Hughes and Tustin which matched the 'medical definition of child torture'.

The boy died from 'unsurvivable brain injuries' hours after allegedly being attacked by Tustin on June 16.

PC Bennett, who was monitoring Hughes after he was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, claimed Hughes admitted 'clipping' Arthur to the back of his legs and said: 'Then I spend an hour sitting in the shower crying about it.'

Hughes was said to have added: 'He tested me last night - I gave him a smack on the legs.'

Hughes (left) is accused of forcing his son to endure 'physical and psychological' abuse in the weeks before his death

Hughes (left) is accused of forcing his son to endure 'physical and psychological' abuse in the weeks before his death

Coventry Crown Court heard when Hughes was arrested and held in custody he began to 'deliberately' hit his head more than 200 times against the cell wall.

CCTV also

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