ARTHUR Labinjo-Hughes' grief-stricken grandmother wept as dozens of balloons were released in memory of the tragic youngster today.
Wearing a top bearing a picture of her six-year-old grandson, Madeleine Halcrow was pictured in tears as she watched on – just days after Arthur's evil stepmum and dad were jailed for his murder.
Vile Thomas Hughes, 29, and Emma Tustin, 32, waged a sick "campaign of cruelty" against Arthur in his tragic final months before his death on June 16 last year
"Wicked" Tustin was convicted of murder this week after repeatedly smashing Arthur's head against a hard surface at the house of horrors in Shirley, West Mids.
The shameless stepmum was too cowardly to even face Arthur's family and refused to enter the dock as she was jailed for life with a minimum of 29 years.
Arthur's "pitiless" dad Hughes was caged for 21 years after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Today, neighbours and loved ones of Arthur held a special balloon release in his memory only days after the twisted pair were put behind bars.
The touching gathering was organised by Kerry Vines, who lived just seven doors down from where little Arthur was killed.
Devastated Madeleine Halcrow – who is the mother of Olivia Labinjo-Halcrow, Arthur's incarcerated mum – sobbed as joined the vigil in tribute to her grandson.
The sky above Solihull was filled with blue, white and silver balloons this afternoon – with many in the shape of stars while others had messages such as "forever in our hearts" written on.
Cranmore Road was packed with heartbroken neighbours who turned out to pay their respects to Arthur outside Tustin's former address.
Many were seen wiping tears from their eyes as others clapped in Arthur's memory as the balloons floated away.
It comes after football fans from all sides clapped for Arthur in a moving tributes this weekend.
Applause rang out at packed stadiums across the country as supporters came together to remember the youngster.
Clubs and supporters clapped at the sixth minute of each game today and yesterday – a minute for every year of Arthur's short life.
Arthur, six, was isolated, poisoned with salt and starved in his final months before twisted Tustin’s fatal attack where she banged his head repeatedly against a hard surface.
During the trial, the court heard that sick Tustin had tried to take an overdose and attempted to hang herself to avoid facing punishment for murdering tragic Arthur.
LESSONS MUST BE LEARNT
On June 16 last year, Tustin repeatedly smashed the youngster's head against a hard surface causing him to collapse.
He died in hospital the next day from a "head trauma inflicted on him by an adult" consistent with being "vigorously shaken and his head banged repeatedly against a hard surface".
Arthur's frail and skeletal body was covered with 130 bruises and he suffered 93 different areas of injury – including on his head, arms, legs, feet and torso.
His death followed a sadistic “campaign of cruelty” carried out by the warped pair.
Now, an urgent national review has been launched into Arthur's murder after social services turned a blind eye to the abuse he suffered.
The government has launched the major review into the circumstances leading up to Arthur's death to determine what improvements need to be made by the agencies that came into contact with him in the months before he died.
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has said the government "will not rest" until they have answers.
"Arthur’s murder has shocked and appalled the nation," he said.
"I am deeply distressed by this awful case and the senseless pain inflicted on this poor boy, who has been robbed of the chance to live his life.
“I have taken immediate action and asked for a joint inspection to consider where improvements are needed by all the agencies tasked with protecting children in Solihull, so that we can be assured that we are doing everything in our power to protect other children and prevent such evil crimes."
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?
Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.
Click here to upload yours.
Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.
Source: Read Full Article
