ARTHUR Labinjo-Hughes will be remembered at his beloved Birmingham City Football Club stadium after a fellow Blues fan commissioned a painting in his memory.
John Sims, who grew up in Droitwich, was determined to do something to keep Arthur’s memory alive after hearing the heart-breaking story of what happened to the six-year-old at his home in Shirley.
So he sold some his match-worn shirt collection to pay Bradford artist Paul Town to create a piece which would bring Arthur and his club together.
The artwork is set to go on display in ‘Arthur’s Area’ at St Andrews – which was created by the club to remember the youngster, where a flag and pictures of Arthur have been installed.
John said: “I wanted to do something as a lasting memory of Arthur and give it to the club so he is never forgotten.”
He added that he will be handing six limited edition prints of the painting to pubs close to the ground.
Artist Paul said: “Art is a very moving subject and I wanted to do something which brought the players and Arthur together.”
Arthur’s stepmum Emma Tustin was been jailed for 29 years for Arthur’s murder and his dad Thomas Hughes, has been jailed for 21 after being found guilty on manslaughter at Coventry Crown Court last year.
Their sentences have been referred to the Court of Appeal for being too lenient.
The pair subjected Arthur to a campaign of abuse during the first national lockdown, lying about his welfare to his school and misleading social services.
The involvement of the latter will be the subject of two independent reviews.
Arthur was made to stand in isolation for 14 hours, deprived of food and water and poisoned with salt.
