Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: Six-year-old ‘knew father was going to kill him,’ court told

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hughes regularly abused his son at their home in Solihull, she said, adding that Arthur – whose biological mother is in prison for murder – had also told people that his “dad was going to kill him”. Ms Prior went on: “He was going to die and he was going to die because Thomas Hughes was in charge of Arthur’s life and Arthur’s life consisted of nothing other than misery.” The court previously heard Hughes had made threats towards Arthur, such as to “put him six feet under”. In his closing speech, prosecuting barrister Jonas Hankin QC said Arthur was “persecuted” and “dehumanised” by Hughes and Tustin who then “murdered” him. Jurors have been told that Tustin would send Hughes voice notes of Arthur crying whenever the boy’s father was not home, and that Hughes would reply with messages such as “dig Arthur’s grave”.