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‘Critical opportunities’ missed to prevent Arthur Labinjo-Hughes death, review finds

An independent review into the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at the hands of his father and step-mother finds that three “critical opportunities” which could have saved him were missed by authorities.
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was killed in June 2020. Picture: West Midlands Police/Family handout
Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was killed in June 2020. Picture: West Midlands Police/Family handout

Six-year-old Arthur died in Solihull in June 2020 after being tortured by Thomas Hughes and Emma Tustin, who were jailed for manslaughter and murder respectively.

The review by Ineqe Safeguarding Group, commissioned by Solihull Safeguarding Board, focusses on a period between 15 April 2020 and 27 April 2020, the date Arthur’s case was closed by Solihull’s Council’s children’s services department.

During this period, police received a picture of Arthur which showed bruising on his back and shoulders after concerns were raised with children’s services about Arthur’s safety at home.

“Had the police chosen to investigate what was a credible allegation of a serious assault against a child, it is possible that Arthur may have been removed from the pathway to harm that he was ultimately on,” the review states.

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