MP backs call for review of child-killer sentences
BURTON MP Kate Griffiths has backed the call for the sentences of the monster stepmum and evil dad who tortured and killed tragic sixyear-old Arthur Labinjo-hughes to be reviewed to see if they are too lenient.
Conservative MP Ms Griffiths has welcomed the call to look at the sentences given to the pair who subjected the little boy to cruel tortured, including poisoning him with salt, before he was killed.
Emma Tustin was jailed for a minimum of 29 years on Friday after a trial in which the full horror of her campaign of violence and torture against the little boy was revealed. Arthur’s dad Thomas Hughes was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter and child cruelty.
Ms Griffiths told the Burton Mail: “The murder of a child is a horrific and heinous crime. If found guilty of such an offence, a court must give a sentence of life imprisonment to the offender.
“The terrible murder of Arthur Labinjo-hughes has shocked us all.
“I welcome the referral of his murderer’s sentence to the Attorney General for review under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
“It is critical that lessons from this case are learned and it is reassuring that the Prime Minister has pledged to leave no stone unturned in a review of the circumstances around Arthur’s sad death.”
Arthur was killed after weeks of abuse during lockdown in June last year and died from a fatal brain injury while in the sole care of his 32-year-old stepmother Emma Tustin.
A court heard that social services were notified of concerns from family members who found bruises on the boy’s body but a home visit found “no safeguarding concerns”.
Tustin has now been jailed for life after being convicted of murder by assaulting the child in Solihull in the West Midlands on June 16, 2020.
The length of the couple’s sentences are to be reviewed and the case will be the subject of a national review after social workers found no safeguarding concerns despite the fact Arthur was being poisoned with salt, starved, dehydrated, beaten and made to stand for hours facing a wall in the hallway of the house where he was also forced to sleep on the floor.
Tustin’s former cellmate Elaine Pritchard, who spent six weeks locked up with Tustin, told The Mirror: “Emma hadn’t said anything about Arthur dying. She never mentioned him.”
Instead, Tustin, 32, told inmates she was being held in prison because
Hughes, 29, “neglected” his son. Elaine added: “She always felt sorry for herself. One day she came back from a plea hearing and was upset, so I asked, ‘What’s wrong?’ “She said, ‘He didn’t look at me, Tom never looked at me.’ That was the only time I saw her upset about anything.”
BURTON MP Kate Griffiths is encouraging people to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas following Small Business Saturday last weekend.
She said it was important retailers in Burton and Uttoxeter received support as they build back after the difficulties caused by the pandemic.
Small Business Saturday is held annually and provides an opportunity to celebrate the thousands of small and independent businesses across the country.
Luke Churchley, owner of Annie Maison, said: “Covid-19 was a time when Burton small businesses really came together and supported each other.
“Burton has a very strong entrepreneurial spirit and is full of inspiring people who all have their own stories, struggles, and successes.
“By sticking together and supporting each other’s businesses, we saw a lot of very good businesses return. Actually, not only return – they came back stronger than ever!
“This is commendable in such a small town, and should be recognised as a huge success.
“I am proud to work alongside so many great businesses to make Burton and surrounding areas better for everyone.”
Small and independent businesses have had a tough time during the pandemic, but, said Ms Griffiths, the Government had helped them with more than £407 billion of economic support, including over £100 billion in business loans.
Whilst promoting Small Business Saturday, she visited Alphabet Gift Shop and Annie Maison Coffeehouse & Bar in Burton to show her support for local, one-of-akind small businesses.
Ms Griffiths said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, our high streets, and an integral part of our recovery from the pandemic.
“That is why Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity to support all our small business owners in Burton and Uttoxeter, and give them our custom in the lead-up up to Christmas.
“In Burton and Uttoxeter, as I see every week on visits I undertake, we have some incredible and one-of-a-kind small businesses.
“From farm shops selling Staffordshire-grown produce, to superb restaurants offering culinary delights—our area has a lot to
offer. “It is yet another reminder of the broad appeal that Global Burton and Uttoxeter enjoys, with success stories of our own local businesses exporting all over the world.
“As well as the billions of pounds of financial support for businesses during the pandemic, the Government has also awarded more than £600 million worth of Start-up Loans supporting up to 10,000 more entrepreneurs across the UK, and introduced tax cuts and reforms – cutting business rates by at least 50 per cent for eligible businesses. “This Christmas please show your support for our local businesses, shops, cafés and restaurants.
“They are part of our community and make each high street unique, so please shop local!”