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

[Tortoise]

Give it a break!!

No sympathy from me. I hope he starts to take responsibility for his part.

How he's pleaded not guilty just blows my mind.

I hope neither of them are allowed within a mile of a child for the rest of their miserable pathetic lives.

 

[Carroll520]

I thought I would copy over some of the earlier trial logs, to make them easier to locate. I know I like to refer back to them and it takes ages to scroll back that far on the live updates. So I won't copy all of them, that would take too long, but just certain witnesses.

Thank you so much

 

[Tortoise]

15:41TONY LARNER
Hughes used word 'c***' about Arthur 'more than I should'

Mr Hankin asks about the audio clip of Arthur crying for his uncle Blake and saying 'no-one loves me' on April 24.

Hughes says he was not in at the time but cannot recall where he was. He confirms he did not 'open' all of the messages from Tustin.

e adds: "It was repetitive. I wasn't there. I couldn't do anything about it at the time. I felt there was no point in opening the messages."

Hughes states he asked Arthur about it and adds: "I enquired where it came from and Emma was over my shoulder saying, 'I have told you once why are you asking him again'."

He tells the court that type of encounter was 'constant'.

Mr Richmond asks about Hughes' 'smiley' text response to Tustin referring to Arthur as 'Satan'.

Hughes: "At the time I thought she was making light of a bad situation."

He also accepts he used the word c*** about Arthur 'more often than I should have'.


15:45TONY LARNER
'I just give up arguing with her'

Hughes states he never used the word 'c***' before he met Tustin and accepts it is a 'very horrible word'.

Mr Richmond asks if Tustin still did the cooking for Arthur by the start of May.

Hughes: "I tried (to make food myself) to which I was always met with 'is my food not good enough?' from Emma. I just give up arguing with her. I didn't want the confrontation."

Mr Richmond asks who 'climbed down' whenever there was an argument between him and Tustin.

Hughes: "You mean apologised? 90 per cent of the time it was me."

'I've said it's all me' - What murder accused dad secretly told girlfriend

 

[Dotta]

I’m inclined to believe TH version of events more so than ET. Do I think his actions are excusable? Not a chance! Do I believe he was the driving force? Nope. I think this was ET. He is, no matter how coerced, responsible for his own actions regarding his abuse and cruelty to his son. And responsible for ensuring his sons safety! As for not wanting confrontation? I’m sure Arthur didn’t either, he unfortunately had no choice or say in the matter.

Im beginning to think TH suffered from some kind of learning difficulties:
- hated school
- called himself "thick" (self esteem rock bottom)
- not successful at his job of a "plumber".
He was like a child himself and ET took advantage of it.
MOO

 

[Carroll520]

I thought I would copy over some of the earlier trial logs, to make them easier to locate. I know I like to refer back to them and it takes ages to scroll back that far on the live updates. So I won't copy all of them, that would take too long, but just certain witnesses.

Thank you so much

Give it a break!!

No sympathy from me. I hope he starts to take responsibility for his part.

How he's pleaded not guilty just blows my mind.

I hope neither of them are allowed within a mile of a child for the rest of their miserable pathetic lives.

My god the more it goes on the worse he is, Arthur was his child, he should have protected him at all costs. He is saying he didnt stick up for Arthur as he didnt want confrontation. His text messages dont paint that picture, they paint the picture of someone who loved confrontation. Grow a pair of balls TH and own up to your part in this nightmare you put Arthur througb

Give it a break!!

No sympathy from me. I hope he starts to take responsibility for his part.

How he's pleaded not guilty just blows my mind.

I hope neither of them are allowed within a mile of a child for the rest of their miserable pathetic lives.

 

[Tinksx]

Give it a break!!

No sympathy from me. I hope he starts to take responsibility for his part.

How he's pleaded not guilty just blows my mind.

I hope neither of them are allowed within a mile of a child for the rest of their miserable pathetic lives.

I’m of the same opinion with all of this to be honest.

I believe he was in a controlling and coercive relationship. I believe ET exaggerated (lied) about Arthur’s behaviour, I even believe she may have incited Arthur’s behaviour by prompting and provoking. But they are the only parts I am buying though. Everything else doesn’t wash I’m afraid. He was complicit in the abuse Arthur suffered, especially by his own hand. He could’ve left? If he didn’t want to end the relationship, he could’ve very easily handed Arthur’s care over to his parents? He had so many different options available to him… All of which would’ve had a positive outcome compared to this.


How he has pleaded not guilty is beyond belief!


On the plus side, once found guilty (which I am confident will be the case) this will all be used as an aggravating factor and a harsher sentence. That is the only positive I can take from this case at present, because many a time I have had to step away while these two have been on the stand due to their absolute disregard for that poor child.

This entire trial has been horrendous and just when you think it can’t get any worse, it hits new depths of depravity.

 

[Helleux301]

Im beginning to think TH suffered from some kind of learning difficulties:
- hated school
- called himself "thick" (self esteem rock bottom)
- not successful at his job of a "plumber".
He was like a child himself and ET took advantage of it.
MOO

Yes Dotta I think you're right, T H Mother said he wasn't"academic" (which could well be polite way of saying learning difficulties), and was self conscious of this . I wonder if he was the least able of the family. I must admit he is coming across as way less rough and vile than ET but nothing is going to excuse his horrendous cruelty towards Arthur imo

 

[ChloLo]

This thing about thinking about what he’s (Arthur) done. I’d be interested to know the ages of ETs other children. Arthur was 6, I know every child is different, my eldest is about 8 months younger than Arthur. We have our own set of difficulties, but 6 year olds don’t really understand the concept of right and wrong, they aren’t deliberately “naughty”.
The amount of times I’ve said no or don’t do that, and my child’s response is “why”.

 

[Tortoise]

16:00TONY LARNER
Hughes accepts he 'failed' Arthur

Mr Richmond asks a question from the jury: "Although you lacked confidence and doubted your parenting, why did you not defend and fight for Arthur knowing in your heart he wasn't a naughty child verbally or a rude child?"

Hughes: "Again every time I questioned it to Emma I was met with confrontation and I didn't want it at that point."

He accepts he 'failed' Arthur. Mr Richmond asks if he is ashamed.

Hughe: "Partly yes. Disappointment. Angry at myself."


16:02TONY LARNER
'I realised a lot was done behind my back'

Mr Richmond asks again why he did not 'fight for Arthur'.

Hughes: "Because at the time I was led to believe it was normal behaviour. Only since I have seen the footage, the CCTV, the messages, I realised a lot was done behind my back and I was lied to an awful lot."

Hughes agrees in his heart he knew 'Arthur was a good kid' and would not have done the sort of things he was being accused of.

He states at the time he did not think Tustin had a reason to lie to him.


16:10TONY LARNER
Arthur made to stand for long periods

Hughes states Arthur was made to stand from the last week in April. He cannot recall whose idea it was but accepts the periods of time became longer.

Hughes: "Because Arthur was apparently not thinking about his actions and what he had done."

Mr Richmond asks who wrote the 'menu of things about the thinking step'.

Hughes: "I wrote them with Emma sat next to me."

16:14TONY LARNER
'Constant barrage... saying Arthur had been naughty'

He adds: "I was always met with 'he hasn't thought about his actions'. I even asked 'when does the punishment end?'. It was met with 'when he learns to behave'."

Hughes tells the court he suggested letting Arthur back in the living room to 'let him see what he's missing out on' but Tustin disagreed with the idea.

Mr Richmond asks what Hughes meant in a message where he said he would 'go to town' on Arthur.

Hughes: "Shout more aggressively than what I would normally do."

He adds there was a 'constant barrage from Emma saying Arthur had been naughty'.

Hughes says he had not started hitting Arthur at this stage.


'I've said it's all me' - What murder accused dad secretly told girlfriend

 

[Tortoise]

16:29TONY LARNER
Arthur slept on floor as Tustin 'didn't want him ruining sofa'

Hughes tells the court Arthur started sleeping downstairs after an incident with Tustin's son.

He says: "They were at war with each other. It was at that point we had to separate them and they was told if you can't get along one of you will have to come downstairs.

"I believe Arthur picked up his blanket up and said 'I'll sleep downstairs, I'm not bothered'."

Hughes states he asked Tustin why Arthur had to sleep on the floor and not the sofa.

He says: "She said he had ripped up pictures, ripped holes in the throw. She didn't want him ruining the sofa."


16:31TONY LARNER
Hughes ripped up Arthur's football shirts

Hughes confirms he ripped up Arthur's football shirts at one stage.

He says: "Not long after the sleeping incident, because it was put to me by Emma that Arthur had ripped up valuable stuff of hers and her children's.

"I wanted Arthur to lose something he valued and I knew he valued his football shirts above anything. I knew they were very important to him."


'I've said it's all me' - What murder accused dad secretly told girlfriend

 

[ChloLo]

I’m pretty certain that if TH had a learning disability, this would have been mentioned by now. Not academic can just mean they don’t get on with school. My partner isn’t “academic” but he’s a web developer, no learning issues, just didn’t like school.

 

[Tinksx]

I’m pretty certain that if TH had a learning disability, this would have been mentioned by now. Not academic can just mean they don’t get on with school. My partner isn’t “academic” but he’s a web developer, no learning issues, just didn’t like school.

My daughter isn’t academic. She cannot get to grips with maths, doesn’t enjoy English, would rather stick pins in her eyes than learn about the cells inside a leaf. However she’s a fantastic artist, talented gymnast and amazing sports woman. She regularly represents the school in tournaments and cross country racing and without fail finishes in the top 3.

She has no learning disabilities, it’s just that her strengths and interests are not in the “academic” side of the curriculum.

 

[Dotta]

I’m pretty certain that if TH had a learning disability, this would have been mentioned by now. Not academic can just mean they don’t get on with school. My partner isn’t “academic” but he’s a web developer, no learning issues, just didn’t like school.

A 29 year old living in parents' garden.
He was broke and thus dependent financially on ET.
Naive and gullible as a child.

 

[Chessgirl]

I still find it hard to believe that Tom actually believed his son was capable of doing these things. I think he knew very well that these were lies. I feel like he is “playing dumb”. He’s not the same kind of monster that Emma is but he is still a monster. A coward and Child abuser. He chose Emma over his son. I think the reason he did not return his son to his parents was because he was afraid they would see the bruises and he would get in legal trouble. He was aware that what he was doing was criminal and cruel, which is why he kept his son hidden. There’s just no excuse...

 

[Tortoise]

16:43TONY LARNER
'I didn't want to be seen that I was failing as a parent'

Mr Richmond asks if he ever challenged Tustin's claims about Arthur's behaviour.

Hughes: "Yeah, when it was said Arthur ripped holes in the throw I said he wasn't strong enough. It was met with 'so I'm a liar, I have got it wrong, it's all in my imagination'."

Mr Richmond asks about the message where he said he would 'end him'.

Hughes: "My way of saying I will stop his behaviour. It was a wrong choice of words. That's how it was intended."

He denies it meant he would kill Arthur.

Mr Richmond asks why he did not seek further help from the school.

Hughes said he did 'eventually' and adds: "I didn't want to be seen that I was failing as a parent. I didn't want to reach out, I thought I had it under control."

He tells the court he thought he was 'struggling' at the time but not 'failing'.

Asked why he did not seek help from social services Hughes adds: "Because of Arthur's previous involvement. I didn't want Arthur to be worried he would be taken off us. Didn't want to put that fear into him."


16:44TONY LARNER
Question from jury

Forwarding a jury question Judge Wall asks why Hughes did not send Arthur back to his parents' home to 'take him out of that environment'.

Hughes: "That was put to Emma. It was met with 'that's what he wants. He wants to be put back so he can get away with everything'."

He adds he was 'scared' of the possible reaction from his parents because of their previous argument. Hughes now accepts he should have just taken Arthur back to his parents' home.

16:45TONY LARNER
'She didn't let me get a word in'

Mr Richmond asks if Tustin's conduct during an argument was similar to her conduct whilst giving evidence during the last few days.

Hughes: "She was a very argumentative person, it was similar to how she has been shown in this courtroom."

He states he was not good at arguing with Tustin himself.

Hughes: "She would use the end of the relationship and knew I didn't want that. She knew many different forms of getting her point across. It was forceful.

"She didn't let me get a word in. 'I was a liar, I was doubting her'. It was constant."


'I've said it's all me' - What murder accused dad secretly told girlfriend

 

[Tortoise]

16:52TONY LARNER
'I think she was jealous of mine and Arthur's relationship'

Mr Richmond asks if he thinks Tustin was jealous.

Hughes: "I think she was jealous of mine and Arthur's relationship. Trying to drive a wedge between us."

The barrister moves on to the topic of salt. Hughes denies ever seeing Tustin use salt to relieve pain on her genitals, or recalling her ever talking about it to him.

He states the first time he became aware was when Tustin said so during her evidence. Hughes adds he first knew salt was a relevant feature in the case when he saw it on the indictment last December.

Mr Richmond asks about a message where he referred to Arthur as Hitler.

Hughes: "Again I tried to make light of a bad situation. I didn't think anything of it."

He admits he does not think himself to be a particularly funny person.


17:01TONY LARNER
'He said he just wants to see his nan and grandad'

Hughes tells the court he spoke to Arthur alone in the car when Shane Hawkins came to collect or drop off his children.

He says: "I got a better response than what I would if Emma was there. A proper response. He would explain why he was acting the way he was. He would explain why he wouldn't do as he was told.

"He said he just wants to see his nan and grandad, he's concerned or scared he was never going to see them or his family again and that's why he was acting the way he was."


17:03TONY LARNER
Jury ask why Hughes 'required permission' to end punishment

Hughes states he was 'happy' for Arthur to see his grandparents but did not want to 'put him in the middle of the tension' between them.

Forwarding another jury question Judge Wall asks why Hughes 'required permission' from Tustin to end Arthur's punishment.

Hughes: "I didn't feel I needed her permission. It was more the argument it would cause regarding him coming off. I didn't want the argument.

"I thought that was an argument I was never going to win because she would make it seem like it was my fault."


17:10TONY LARNER
Hughes accepts he could have stopped 'punishment'

Hughes states Tustin was against Arthur being taken back to his nan's home and says: "Because Arthur would get his own way and that's what he wanted."

He accepts that ultimately he could have stopped Arthur's punishment at any point. He adds: "Taking him ack to my mom's, was more a pride thing. The reaction I would get from my mom and dad.

"I felt because of the accusations that had gone about, things I had said to them, I thought they didn't want to know me in that respect. That sort of stopped me."


17:12TONY LARNER
Trial adjourned until tomorrow

Asked if he thought his relationship with Arthur would have improved Hughes says: "It might have been strained, not as it was before, but it could have worked towards the way it was before."

Mr Richmond asks what stopped him going back to his parents' home.

Hughes: "It was probably the reaction I had before with me and Emma arguing, the threat of her killing herself. I didn't want that argument again, I didn't want that. I didn't want to go through those feelings again."

The trial is adjourned until tomorrow.

'I've said it's all me' - What murder accused dad secretly told girlfriend

 

[Kasmeer]

I certainly find him more believable than her, but... those text messages. I do find it plausible that if he's not very intelligent and easily manipulated, that she could have had a hold over him, but he still willingly participated in the abuse; the "pressure points" were reported by witnesses other than Tustin to be him... he's not blameless by any means.

He really should've pleaded guilty to all the abuse etc charges (I can't remember the full details of individual charges) minus the salt one (which I do believe was entirely Tustin) if he wanted to show remorse and give himself a better chance on the murder charge. As it is, he's not taking responsibility, just blaming her... while I do think she is more to blame, he still participated! It took two to make this situation happen, even if one was the driving force, the other had the full right to stop it happening, as the parent with responsibility (it might've been harder if it was one of Tustin's children being abused, but he could legally remove Arthur at any time he wanted).

The barrister moves on to the topic of salt. Hughes denies ever seeing Tustin use salt to relieve pain on her genitals, or recalling her ever talking about it to him.

He states the first time he became aware was when Tustin said so during her evidence. Hughes adds he first knew salt was a relevant feature in the case when he saw it on the indictment last December.

Lol, I'd definitely take his word on that one, anyway! Salt water washes on external parts are certainly a thing; I was told by my podiatrist to do that after having an ingrowing toenail partially removed as a teenager, and would probably give it a go now if I had an external infection, but not internal, and certainly not plain salt. Not sure how she expects anyone to believe that - a bath would've had at least some plausibility!

 

[Tortoise]

I'm even getting wound up by the journo writing 'mom' and not 'mum'.

I don't mind it when it's used in America. He was born in England, I've checked.

 

[Dotta]

So...
ET said she wanted Arthur to be
taken to grandparents.

TH says the opposite.

I pity the jury to be forced to listen to these creatures.

 

[ChloLo]

A 29 year old living in parents' garden.
He was broke and thus dependent financially on ET.
Naive and gullible as a child.

TH can be all of those things without having a diagnosed learning disability. His defence would certainly have mentioned it, it would be presented as a mitigating factor.