Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’ killers could have jail sentences increased as case is reviewed

The sentences have been referred to the Court of Appeal

The killers of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes could be handed longer jail sentences, after the attorney general referred them to the Court of Appeal. Attorney general Suella Braverman, who is the chief legal adviser of the government, said she had referred the sentences given to Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes to the Court of Appeal as she believed they were "too low." Tustin was found guilty of the murder of Arthur, after she left him with an unsurvivable brain injury, and was sentenced to a minimum of 29 years behind bars. Whilst Hughes, Arthur's father, was not present during the fatal attack from his partner Tustin, he was sentenced to 21 years for manslaughter after being judged culpable in his son's death as he "encouraged" violence against him and did nothing to stop the abuse. The couple's trial heard that Arthur had suffered months of abuse and torture, being denied food and drink, made to stand in the hall for hours alone and being subjected to regular beatings at the hands of the couple. The Attorney General's Office has determined that the sentences fall under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme and has referred the case to the Court of Appeal, which will make the decision about whether they should be increased. Related links:

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Ms Braverman said: "This is an extremely upsetting and disturbing case, involving a clearly vulnerable young child.

"Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes grossly abused their position of trust and subjected an innocent child, who they should have been protecting, to continued emotional and physical abuse.

"I understand how distressing the public have found this case, but it is my job to decide if a sentence appears to be unduly lenient based on the facts of the case.

"I have carefully considered the details of this case, and I have decided to refer the sentences to the Court of Appeal as I believe them to be too low."

The Attorney General can only ask the Court of Appeal to review a sentence under the ULS scheme if they consider it to be unduly lenient. This may be because they believe the sentencing judge made a gross error or that they impose a sentence outside the range of reasonable ones available. A date for the court hearing has yet to be set.