Petition for poor little Arthur

MissA Tustin can’t get out earlier than 29 years (less time spent on remand unless the judge ordered otherwise). The judge sentenced her to life with a minimum of 29 years in prison so that’s the earliest date that she can be considered for parole. Unlike Hughes whose actual sentence was 21 years, part way through which he could apply for parole.

I don't think either is long enough.
That's my point.

I understood that the step mother has been directed by the judge that she must serve a minimum of 29 years, and the father a minimum of 21 years. These are rightly long sentences and the offenders will not necessarily be released when this time is up.

Sentences have to be considered on a case by case basis, depending on the exact circumstances of the case. Various crimes have set minimum and maximum tariffs. In some cases the maximum often seems low. We have mandatory life sentences for murder but the minimum time that the murderer spends in prison must be decided on the facts of the case. In cases such as this a whole life sentence for the ‘stepmother’ doesn’t seem inappropriate but to my mind it wouldn’t, on the facts of his involvement so far as known to me, be appropriate for the manslaughter conviction, though 21 years with the chance of parole certainly seems unduly lenient.

I know that as well as you do, maddyone.
I'm not arguing that point.
My neighbours grandchildren are in care, thanks to social services input about keeping them with their parents, and threatening my neighbour with the police.
I can still think that Arthur's parent being out of prison in around 14 years, potentially, is woefully inadequate.

MissAdventure the GP would have alerted Social Services, just as the school would have done, which brings us full circle back to the social workers. This child was not
better off left with his natural parents. He should have been moved. It’s that simple.

Yes, all sentences should be increased.
Why not?

But I think that if longer sentences are campaigned for it should be all vile and abusive crimes. And there are many, which sadly include the terrible abuse little Arthur suffered.
In my opinion, it’s about a basic change of attitude. Children are not always better off with the parents, but it seems to be thought that it’s wrong to disrupt the relationship between child and parent wherever possible. This requires a total mindset change in social workers and others who are involved with children.

Well, she was saying that yes, reporting to social services is correct, but it would have been quicker had the grandmother also alerted the gp.
Bearing in mind that we were being told not to contact GPS unless it was absolutely necessary in order to save the nhs.
I'm not sure what a gp could or would have been willing to do about it, anyway.

Hmmm - yes it does sound like that Calistemon.

and was pregnant with a fifth
I think she lost that baby one way or another, eazybee (not sure if it was planned or spontaneous).

I've just seen a short clip of a social services person (don't know who) saying that the grandmother should have alerted the gp that Arthur had bruises!!!!
Last year, during lockdown, this was.
Trying to shift blame?

Everything possible should be done, since it is a systemic failure.
Longer sentences, accountability by those involved in the case, and no stone left unturned.

Sorry that should have said ‘shouldn’t’.

No reason why both should be campaigned for though maddy.

I've just seen a short clip of a social services person (don't know who) saying that the grandmother should have alerted the gp that Arthur had bruises!!!!
Last year, during lockdown, this was.

Throw away the key

I think they’ve been given very long sentences and I think it likely that their time in prison will be quite unpleasant given their crimes. I don’t think we should be campaigning for longer sentences for these two particular people because in any case, there are plenty of other prisoners who have been convicted for vile and cruel crimes. The way forward, in my opinion, is to change the system that places great value on maintaining the parent and child relationship rather than the safety of the child. This little boy was left in an unsafe home despite evidence from his grandmother and uncle who raised concerns about his safety. He should not have been left in this home because he was not safe. This is what must be changed, the system that leaves a vulnerable child with his parent despite evidence that he is unsafe.

Now there's a thought...

Never mind MissA, we can always buy some plasticine and make dolls to stick pins in.

Oh well, that means no opinions for us, then!

Too old and tired I’m afraid.

No room in my home.
I'm bringing up my grandson.

From what I have read about this woman I believe she has an extremely controlling and manipulative personality, and I doubt if salt thrown at her will have much impact. She will be one of those prisoners who will exert undue influence on other prisoners and staff, who will probably fear her, so I hope she spends much of her sentence with very restricted contact with others.
She has four children, two living with their fathers, the other two with her and apparently well looked after, and was pregnant with a fifth whilst living with Arthur, so I hope no further contact is permitted with any of them.
But who knows what path the law will take in the forthcoming twenty-nine years?
A very very dangerous woman.

Instead of campaigning for these two to been incarcerated longer, what about people doing something really useful for the future for such children.
Every local authority in the country is screaming out for more foster parents - how about being one of those???

I agree with you, tickingbird
100 percent.