UK - Arthur Labinjo Hughes, 6, killed, dad & friend arrested, June 2020 #2

[Tinksx]

15:55MATT LLOYD
Brother not aware Thomas Hughes tore up Arthur's football shirts
Ms Prior asks if Mr Hughes knows what his brother 'has done'. He says he knows what his brother has done and what he has been accused of.

Ms Prior asks a series of questions. Mr Hughes tells the court he did not know his brother had punched a hole in the wall of the annexe, punched a hole in the door at Tustin's home, and 'cuffed' Arthur around the head.

He confirms he has not seen the CCTV footage which has been publicised in the media. Asked whether his brother had an 'explosive temper' Mr Hughes says: "I don't believe he did, no."

Continuing to answer more questions he says he was not aware his brother ripped up Arthur's football shirts and not aware he had driven Arthur around telling him he was taking him back to his nan's only to return to Tustin's home.

Ms Prior: "Did you know your brother well?"

Mr Hughes: "I believed I did."

She concludes her questions. Prosecutor Jonas Hankin confirms he does not wish to cross-examine the witness.

Stepmum accused of murdering Arthur was 'catalyst' for tragedy

 

[Discosally]

She concludes her questions. Prosecutor Jonas Hankin confirms he does not wish to cross-examine

Interesting that prosecutor does not want to cross-examine. Does anyone remember if Mr Hankin cross examined ET’s ex, Shane Hawkins? I think he cross examined John Dutton ET’s step-father because JD was warned by the judge to not to get argumentative with the barrister?

 

[Bluebear15]

I don't think that Andrew was of any benefit to Thomas. He didn't really know very much of what was happening imo.

 

[Discosally]

I don't think that Andrew was of any benefit to Thomas. He didn't really know very much of what was happening imo.

No, but as a character witness he highlighted some insight in to ET for me, perhaps some jurors would pick up the same?

 

[Lancslass]

Woahhhh! The judge banned SS from further investigating him?? Unforgivable. Given the abuser carte blanche to abuse.

Yes! There was a serious case review (isn’t there always?)
The judge refused to apologise and just said “it wasn’t personal.”
She conveniently retired very quickly afterwards .

Ellie’s grandma died during the proceedings.
Her heartbroken grandad lost everything - his wife, his granddaughter, his daughter (Ellie’s mum who he disowned for her part in the abuse) and his life savings which he used fighting Ben Butler to try to keep Ellie.

 

[ScottishSam]

Interesting that prosecutor does not want to cross-examine. Does anyone remember if Mr Hankin cross examined ET’s ex, Shane Hawkins? I think he cross examined John Dutton ET’s step-father because JD was warned by the judge to not to get argumentative with the barrister?

Ah the Saint Emma testimony. I believe QC Hankin did cross examine him. Would need to scroll back through BM to check

 

[Tinksx]

I don't think that Andrew was of any benefit to Thomas. He didn't really know very much of what was happening imo.

I don’t think any of TH family knew what was happening, they were effectively ostracised. ET family however seemed to know an awful lot about what was happening with Arthur though…. Between ET texts and observing Arthur “like a zombie” and being banned from the home.

 

[ScottishSam]

I don’t think any of TH family knew what was happening, they were effectively ostracised. ET family however seemed to know an awful lot about what was happening with Arthur though…. Between ET texts and observing Arthur “like a zombie” and being banned from the home.

Yes the message ET sent to her mum about Arthur getting a beating. And Arthur sitting in their house, at the table like a zombie, for hours.
If that happened at THs mum and dad's I don't think it would have been tolerated.

 

[Tinksx]

No, but as a character witness he highlighted some insight in to ET for me, perhaps some jurors would pick up the same?

The fact that two prosecution witnesses and one defence witness have stated that TH character changed after meeting ET and all describe her in a negative light, could very well be picked up on.

Also the whole testimony about getting Shane to assault TH on the stand. She’s not doing herself any favours really….

 

[Tinksx]

16:15KEY EVENT
Tustin 'a cold, calculating person'
In re-examination Mr Richmond asks Mr Hughes if he found anything attractive about Tustin.

He says 'nothing' and describes her as a 'cold, calculating person'. Mr Hughes denies he fancied Tustin and says: "She was domineering. If she didn't get what she wanted she would make things difficult for everyone else."

Asked to repeat his view of Tustin he adds: "A cold, manipulating, calculating person who made every attempt to stay away from the family and draw my brother from the family as well."

Mr Richmond concludes his questions and Mr Hughes is released. That concludes today's evidence.

Judge Wall tells the jury there will be one more witness in the case on Monday, after which he will provide directions on the law. That will be followed by speeches from the legal counsel before he then sums up the evidence.

Judge Wall states it is estimated the jury will be going out to consider their verdicts some time on Wednesday.

Join us here again on Monday when we will continue our coverage.

Stepmum accused of murdering Arthur was 'catalyst' for tragedy

 

[Tinksx]

So TH has one more witness….. imagine if it’s Olivia???

 

[Carroll520]

Yes the message ET sent to her mum about Arthur getting a beating. And Arthur sitting in their house, at the table like a zombie, for hours.
If that happened at THs mum and dad's I don't think it would have been tolerated.

Yeah i got a weird vibe off ET's family. Not as nuturing as TH family

 

[ScottishSam]

So TH has one more witness….. imagine if it’s Olivia???

Oh Jesus!

 

[Carroll520]

So TH has one more witness….. imagine if it’s Olivia???

Oh stop the lights! Imagine

 

[ScottishSam]

Yeah i got a weird vibe off ET's family. Not as nuturing as TH family

Definitely. To see a little boy sitting like that and allow it. I always think in your home, you can push your opinion (I'm thinking the food and drink thing). I wouldn't have asked, I'd have just got him something. Especially if the other kids had juice and food.

 

[Tinksx]

Oh Jesus!

She’d be best placed to comment and give insight into TH as a partner and a father…. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility.

 

[Carroll520]

Definitely. To see a little boy sitting like that and allow it. I always think in your home, you can push your opinion (I'm thinking the food and drink thing). I wouldn't have asked, I'd have just got him something. Especially if the other kids had juice and food.

Big time, you would say something straight away and tell your daughter to cop on! Insane they let it happen in their house and then banning the child from the house, instead of helping him, off the wall

 

[Noseyjosie]

Definitely. To see a little boy sitting like that and allow it. I always think in your home, you can push your opinion (I'm thinking the food and drink thing). I wouldn't have asked, I'd have just got him something. Especially if the other kids had juice and food.

Yep. I remember the stepfather, when speaking about his alleged call to SS, saying "it could have been my grandchild" and thinking, hang on Arthur IS effectively another grandchild

 

[Carroll520]

So will there be a verdict by Wed eve do you think? How long do jurys usually take. Aw hopefully justice for Arthur is coming soon and they can give the little guy a proper send off

 

[Tinksx]

Definitely. To see a little boy sitting like that and allow it. I always think in your home, you can push your opinion (I'm thinking the food and drink thing). I wouldn't have asked, I'd have just got him something. Especially if the other kids had juice and food.

If my kids friends are here at dinner time (which invariably they are), i automatically make them food too? At any given time I can have 4 extra children in this house and if we’re eating, then they’re eating too.