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

[Dotta]

Im convinced it was TH who gave the salt on that fateful day.
His words with the officers are the proof.
And EM finished Arthur with fatal blows.
They are both murderers.
MOO

 

[Mellowmelly]

Im convinced it was TH who gave the salt on that fateful day.
His words with the officers are the proof.
And EM finished Arthur with fatal blows.
They are both murderers.
MOO

I don't think he did it, I think ET did, I don't see any evidence of him doing it, but I have read about ET being seen on the camera with salt in her hand and she had the motive and opportunity. She wanted Arthur gone, she was constantly telling tales about Arthur to TH, she prepared his food and was alone with him a lot of the time. Was TH a bad dad ? Of course he was, he let him down in the worst possible way, encouraged and participated in his abuse however I think it was because he is a weak, selfish man. By all acounts, his relationship with Arthur before he met ET was good, I just don't see him doing it myself.

 

[ChloLo]

I’m also inclined to thin ET did the “bolus” of salt. TH had 6 minutes upstairs. ET had 22 minutes “doing her eyebrows” and also remember Arthur apparently hit the door or something. That could have been a cover for any injuries that occurred while she was forcing the salt down. MOO

 

[SpursGyal]

I too think it was ET with the salt. I have no doubt in my opinion she was covering his food in it too to make it inedible, meaning she could complain about him spitting it out.

 

[Mellowmelly]

I agree, and I don't like to stick up for TH but the evidence doesn't point to him doing it for me, nor can I see him having motive to do so. If ET didn't agree with TH ways of disciplining Arthur, why was she texting him every five minutes telling tales. She was probably pinning poor Arthur down while forcing the salt down him, she's on another level f#&!!d up, excuse my language.

 

[Dotta]

I don't think he did it, I think ET did, I don't see any evidence of him doing it, but I have read about ET being seen on the camera with salt in her hand and she had the motive and opportunity. She wanted Arthur gone, she was constantly telling tales about Arthur to TH, she prepared his food and was alone with him a lot of the time. Was TH a bad dad ? Of course he was, he let him down in the worst possible way, encouraged and participated in his abuse however I think it was because he is a weak, selfish man. By all acounts, his relationship with Arthur before he met ET was good, I just don't see him doing it myself.

My theory is that TH knew perfectly well about the salt administered by ET.
The last dose was given by him.
I believe Ms Prior - ET must have told her the truth that they were together in it.
He himself spilled the truth - both in the interview with Police and during recorded talk.
MOO

 

[Mellowmelly]

I too think it was ET with the salt. I have no doubt in my opinion she was covering his food in it too to make it inedible, meaning she could complain about him spitting it out.

It makes you wonder if she suffers from something like maunchausens syndrome, making a child ill to get attention, except Arthur wasn't her child.

 

[Mellowmelly]

My theory is that TH knew perfectly well about the salt administered by ET.
The last dose was given by him.
I believe Ms Prior - ET must have told her the truth that they were together in it.
He himself spilled the truth - both in the interview with Police and during recorded talk.
MOO

You could be right, but I believe he was still infatuated by her at that stage and still probably hoping to carry the relationship on with her. Let's hope this trial brings the whole truth out and gets the justice Arthur deserves. I gave a feeling we will never know the full story though, as with most murder cases.

 

[Tinksx]

I’m also inclined to thin ET did the “bolus” of salt. TH had 6 minutes upstairs. ET had 22 minutes “doing her eyebrows” and also remember Arthur apparently hit the door or something. That could have been a cover for any injuries that occurred while she was forcing the salt down. MOO

To add to that, THs 6 minutes upstairs occurred with 3 witnesses in the house. ETs 22 minutes, no witnesses other than her. I am convinced a child would scream/cry/be distressed if forced to ingest salt and I am more than sure, if ETs version of events had happened, she would’ve sung like a canary in her interviews. She didnt. She only mentioned it once she became aware that salt poisoning had been charged. But as always, just my opinion

 

[Carroll520]

Does anyone know if there is proof that TH was considering putting Arthur up for adoption? Yesterday i was convinced that TH wasnt as badly involved as ET, but after hearing everything today, I am beginning to wonder did TH just want rid of Arthur and actually wanted him dead. Was getting a bit of comfort yesterday, thinking that Arthur had his Dad on his side to a certain extent but today painted a very different picture for me. Feel sick to my stomach after it

 

[SpursGyal]

Does anyone know if there is proof that TH was considering putting Arthur up for adoption? Yesterday i was convinced that TH wasnt as badly involved as ET, but after hearing everything today, I am beginning to wonder did TH just want rid of Arthur and actually wanted him dead. Was getting a bit of comfort yesterday, thinking that Arthur had his Dad on his side to a certain extent but today painted a very different picture for me. Feel sick to my stomach after it

No, only what ET had told her ex.

 

[Tinksx]

My thoughts exactly.

My theory is that TH knew perfectly well about the salt administered by ET.
The last dose was given by him.
I believe Ms Prior - ET must have told her the truth that they were together in it.
He himself spilled the truth - both in the interview with Police and during recorded talk.
MOO

If ET admitted any of this to Ms Prior, Ms Prior would legally not be allowed to defend ET. Ms Prior cannot defend a client who has admitted to a crime. Ms Prior can only take her clients version of events and run with it, no matter how implausible it might seem.

 

[Carroll520]

No, only what ET had told her ex.

Aw ok and he said she is an amazing mother, so i wouldnt believe a word out of his mouth

 

[RusselSprout]

Thomas put his relationship with Emma before his relationship with poor arthur, there's obviously no question about that. I believe Emma to be the murderer, the salt poisoner, and master manipulator. But I still have thomas guilty of murder as he let it happen, he didn't seek help, the too skinny so we didn't send him to school makes no sense to me. If he's too skinny to attend school surely at that stage you seek medical assistance? I do think he contributed to, and didn't prevent Arthur's murder, therefore guilty of murder. Its a really ugly charade of them both trying to save their own skin in court, but I hold them both equally accountable, I hope the jury agree with me.

It tugs at so many of our heartstrings here. I come from a broken family and all I craved as a kid and still to this day is stability. Its just so devastating what arthur endured and we will never know the truth.

 

[Mellowmelly]

Thomas put his relationship with Emma before his relationship with poor arthur, there's obviously no question about that. I believe Emma to be the murderer, the salt poisoner, and master manipulator. But I still have thomas guilty of murder as he let it happen, he didn't seek help, the too skinny so we didn't send him to school makes no sense to me. If he's too skinny to attend school surely at that stage you seek medical assistance? I do think he contributed to, and didn't prevent Arthur's murder, therefore guilty of murder. Its a really ugly charade of them both trying to save their own skin in court, but I hold them both equally accountable, I hope the jury agree with me.

It tugs at so many of our heartstrings here. I come from a broken family and all I craved as a kid and still to this day is stability. Its just so devastating what arthur endured and we will never know the truth.

Everything you have said I agree with, as a parent you should want to do Everything you can to protect your child, at least remove them from harms way, he is just as bad as her, even if he didn't actually do it.

 

[Mellowmelly]

Does anyone know if there is proof that TH was considering putting Arthur up for adoption? Yesterday i was convinced that TH wasnt as badly involved as ET, but after hearing everything today, I am beginning to wonder did TH just want rid of Arthur and actually wanted him dead. Was getting a bit of comfort yesterday, thinking that Arthur had his Dad on his side to a certain extent but today painted a very different picture for me. Feel sick to my stomach after it

I've not read or heard of any proof so far.

 

[ScottishSam]

Hey everyone. New poster here.
I've followed this case from day 1 like all of you. I don't think Tom knew about the salt, or a lot of what was happening in the house. I think he's a pitiful excuse for a human. Avoiding confrontation is one thing, but when your own child is being treated like this there's no excuse.
My son is 1 month younger than Arthur, I can't imagine doing any of these awful punishments etc to my baby.
I hope they're both found guilty, but, I believe the salt is all Emma.
I can't understand how the dad could be so blind to see he was being manipulated to turn against his own son.
Hope Jonas Hankin QC annihilates Tom on the stand next week.
Sorry for the long post, I'm glad I've found somewhere I can discuss this horrendous case with people who feel the same as me.

 

[Dotta]

If ET admitted any of this to Ms Prior, Ms Prior would legally not be allowed to defend ET. Ms Prior cannot defend a client who has admitted to a crime. Ms Prior can only take her clients version of events and run with it, no matter how implausible it might seem.

Well, I might let my imagination run with me (as usual - Sigh).
I mean her confessing to Ms P.
But...
In my opinion, they both wanted Arthur dead.
Do you remember when Mr Richmond asked TH how Arthur was that fateful day before TH went to shop (as usual)?

TH answered:" He was fine."

Is he for real? Deluded?
Arthur was skeletal, unable to move.
And TH went merilly to buy balloons.
What does it mean???

Well, ET is mentally ill suicidal woman.
TH is - according to me - mentally and emotionally retarded.
His behaviour seems to be of an early teen (sponging on his parents, then a lover, playing playstation, hanging out in shopping centres, completely irresponsible sex resulting in numerous pregnancies).

Arthur was an obstacle to both of them.
Did they plan his future? When was he going to return to school?

MOO

 

[Tinksx]

Well, I might let my imagination run with me (as usual - Sigh).
I mean her confessing to Ms P.
But...
In my opinion, they both wanted Arthur dead.
Do you remember when Mr Richmond asked TH how Arthur was that fateful day before TH went to shop (as usual)?

TH answered:" He was fine."

Is he for real? Deluded?
Arthur was skeletal, unable to move.
And TH went merilly to buy balloons.
What does it mean???

Well, ET is mentally ill suicidal woman.
TH is - according to me - mentally and emotionally retarded.
His behaviour seems to be of an early teen (sponging on his parents, then a lover, playing playstation, hanging out in shopping centres, completely irresponsible sex resulting in numerous pregnancies).

Arthur was an obstacle to both of them.
Did they plan his future? When was he going to return to school?

Dotta, I personally love the way your mind works and the way you come at things. I may not always agree with the same things as you, but I always admire your passion behind your statements.

I think TH answering “he was fine” was down to the fact, that this was the “norm” for them now. It was completely normal for Arthur be excluded, isolated, punished, abused. It was normal to both TH and ET, therefore he was “fine” in their eyes.

It means that TH placed more attention and love (whether that be coerced/forced/manipulated or not) on ET than he did arthur. If we strip this back to the very bare bones of this, it is an adult choosing another adult/relationship over their child. It is a repetitive pattern that we have seen with Bernadette Walker, Kaylee Jade Priest, Star Hobson. It is how a lot of these kids end up like this - a parent putting a relationship first.

You will drive yourself mental trying to understand these people, because you are NOT like one of these people. You have a moral compass, compassion, empathy etc… these people do not.

 

[ScottishSam]

I agree with Tinksx, how could any normal person leave a little boy standing or sitting in a hallway for 14 hours, almost turning him into a 'statue',or a 'zombie' as Emma's step dad said, and think things were fine.
I just can't understand the mentality of these people.
They pushed Arthur to the brink of what any person could cope with. And just carried on their lives. I can't comprehend it!