Poignant permanent memorial to be created for six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes

9 December 2021, 22:07 | Updated: 9 December 2021, 22:12

A permanent memorial is to be set up for six-year-old Arthur
A permanent memorial is to be set up for six-year-old Arthur. Picture: Alamy/West Midlands Police

By Daisy Stephens

A permanent memorial is to be created for six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, who was killed by his stepmother and father.

A circle of six trees is to be planted in memory of the youngster near the house where he was poisoned, beaten, abused and murdered by his stepmother Emma Tustin.

Solihull Council made the announcement after being approached by a group of residents.

A spokesperson said: "Following a request from a Shirley residents group regarding the creation of a permanent memorial area to remember Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, we are facilitating the installation of a circle of six 4ft trees, to be located in the centre of the green."

Read more: Government 'not satisfied' with sentences for 'appalling' Arthur Labinjo-Hughes murder

Read more: Hundreds release balloons in memory of little Arthur, 6, to 'show he was loved'

Tributes for six-year-old Arthur have flooded in since details emerged in the court case.

A public vigil was held on Sunday outside the house where he was fatally attacked, with residents planning another on Saturday.

Other tributes saw football fans holding a minute's applause for Birmingham City FC fan Arthur at various fixtures around the country over last weekend.

Hundreds of people attend vigil for Arthur Labinjo-Hughes

Tustin, 32, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 29 years last Friday after fatally beating the defenceless youngster at her home in Cranmore Road, Solihull, in June last year, leaving him with an unsurvivable brain injury.

Arthur's father Thomas Hughes, 29, was found guilty of his son's manslaughter and jailed for 21 years.

Details of Arthur's cruel abuse and treatment, including being poisoned with salt, emerged during the pair's Coventry Crown Court trial and has caused widespread shock, revulsion and grief.

Read more: Arthur's killer dad agrees for boy's body to be released so funeral can take place

Read more: Zahawi: 'Whole nation is distraught' at 'horrific' death of six-year-old Arthur

A national review is now under way into contact the authorities had with Arthur, after social workers visited the boy at the family's home two months before his death but found "no safeguarding concerns".

In the House of Commons on Thursday, Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said it is "not good enough" that authorities always say lessons will be learned from the cruel treatment of vulnerable children.

"I have got this in my notes today that I am meant to say that 'lessons will be learned', but that is what we always say and it is not good enough," he said.

"We need to protect little children."

He added that he found it "almost impossible" to read news stories about Arthur because it made him think of his own children.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

According to documents filed for the federal criminal case, officers found at least 14 unused Molotov cocktails in Soliman's possession when they arrested him.

Colorado firebomb attack was year in the making, FBI says, as suspect faces terror and hate crime charges

In the years leading up to the attack, Robert Price, 76, had been the target of a prolonged campaign of harassment and criminal damage, the Old Bailey was told.

Teenagers jailed for manslaughter after firework attack which killed widower in his own home

Cameron Norrie of Great Britain plays a forehand against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Cameron Norrie out of French Open after convincing defeat to Novak Djokovic

Exclusive
Lord George Robertson has warned the enemy is already at our door

'Our enemies are at our door', warns Lord Robertson as government unveils Strategic Defence Review

Households across the UK can claim up to £300 this June in payments to help with essential costs amid the cost of living crisis.

UK households to get £300 summer cost of living payment from this month

Britain's Jack Draper reacts as he plays against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik

Jack Draper knocked out of the French Open by Alexander Bublik

Holocaust survivor among victims in Colorado as man charged with murder after 'petrol bomb' attack at pro-Israel rally

Holocaust survivor among victims in Colorado as man charged with murder after 'petrol bomb' attack at pro-Israel rally

Jodey Whiting, 42, was found dead in 2017 just two weeks after her Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was cut.

Disabled mum-of-nine killed herself because her benefits were incorrectly cut, inquest finds

Arrivals at the UK Border at Heathrow Terminal 3

The UK airports that allow you to keep liquids in bags through security

AI, drones and missile defence investment part of UK new defence plans

Healey pledges to 'create British Army that is 10 times more lethal' as full details of defence review emerge

Rose West

Rose West has new grandchild after son welcomes baby with former model

Exclusive
The Prime Minister's promising a major overhaul of the UK's armed forces to defend against a new era of threat.

Britain’s war-fighting wake-up call: Defence review must be a start, not a slogan, warns military expert

Fourth man arrested in connection with arsons linked to Keir Starmer's properties in north London.

Fourth man arrested at airport over firebomb attacks at properties linked to Keir Starmer in north London

Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap following peace talks as Putin's negotiator proposes 'limited ceasefire'

Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap following peace talks as Putin's negotiator proposes 'limited ceasefire'

Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, 33, whose body was discovered on January 23 2020

Soldier was 'missing for three weeks before body was found' in barracks

The 53-year-old suspect involved in the Liverpool parade crash has been described by neighbours as a nice family man.

Liverpool parade injury toll hits 109 as four people still remain in hospital after horror crash