Couple to stand trail over murder of son, 6
A West Midlands man and his partner are to stand trial later this year accused of murdering his six-year-old son.
Youngster Arthur Labinjo-Hughes died in hospital from head injuries after he was found unresponsive at his home in Cranmore Road, Shirley, Solihull, on June 17 last year.
His 28-year-old father, Thomas Hughes, of Cranmore Road, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing to discuss the timetable for what was described as a "complex" case.
Hughes' partner, Emma Tustin, 32, of the same address, was excused from appearing for the hearing.
The couple were initially charged with causing or allowing the death of a child but were then charged with murder in December last year.
Hughes and Tustin have previously entered not guilty pleas to murder, as well as other allegations of assault and ill-treatment and neglect or abandonment of a child.
Setting a trial date, the Recorder of Birmingham, Judge Melbourne Inman QC, said: "The trial is fixed for October 5 and that is when it will take place."
The judge added that it is "obviously a complex investigation" which requires a "significant number of opinions" being sought from medical experts instructed by both the prosecution and defence.
