A social worker has told a court she was 'shocked' after seeing photos of bruising on Arthur Labinjo-Hughes taken a day before she visited the six-year-old and found no safeguarding concerns.
Arthur died after sustaining an 'unsurvivable' brain injury at his home in Solihull last year. His father, Thomas Hughes, 29, and his partner, Emma Tustin, 32, deny murder.
The court heard that two separate referrals had been made to police and social services about Arthur's wellbeing, including one about unexplained bruising on his back. Jayne Kavanagh, from Solihull Council, visited the home on 17 April 2020 and said she saw a 'very faint' yellow bruise but Arthur seemed 'happy, playful and boisterous'.
Ms Kavanagh later saw a photo taken by Arthur's grandmother the previous day showing bruising on his shoulder. 'I was really confused,' she said. 'I was in shock that these photos had been taken the day before.'
Prosecutors allege Arthur was repeatedly banged against a hard surface and subjected to a campaign of mistreatment, including being poisoned with salt. Ms Tustin has admitted child cruelty by ill-treating Arthur, a charge Mr Hughes denies. Both deny all other charges.
