The adoptive mum of brave Tony Hudgell has told of her anger at learning that the twisted birth mother jailed for abusing him has applied for day release.
Depraved Jody Simpson and boyfriend Anthony Smith were both jailed for 10 years after torturing their son so badly when he was just six weeks old that he ended up losing both his legs.
Tony, now seven, found a loving home with Paula Hudgell and learned to walk with prosthetic limbs, winning hearts across the nation with his charity treks.
Paula campaigns for tougher laws for monsters like Simpson and was horrified to learn Tony’s abuser, who could be free in August, is already bidding for day release while he continues to suffer.
She said last night: “Our little boy faces a lifetime of challenges – why can’t his abusers face a lifetime of punishment? Simpson isn’t even in a secure prison and the news she has applied for day release has hit us very hard.
“The very same morning this week that we were told, Tony was in so much pain from his hands and struggling to write at school as they are so swollen.
“Every day, he has to overcome the impact of the life-changing injuries they inflicted to his tiny body. Yet the monsters that caused his pain and suffering have the gall to ask for day release, all the while counting down the days to permanent freedom in a few months.”
Simpson, 27, and Smith, 53, carried out a string of “spiteful, vigorous assaults” on Tony, including swinging him by his ankle. He had his fingers and toes broken and leg ligaments torn, and his injuries led to multiple organ failure and sepsis. After being left in agony for 10 days, he only survived thanks to the skills of the medics who finally treated him.
Paula said: “As well as the eight limb fractures and head trauma, which has left him deaf in one ear, Tony had to have 23 operations and eight blood transfusions. He had to have a double amputation at the knees at three and his hip is permanently dislocated.”
Despite his injuries, prosecutors initially felt there was not enough evidence to convict Simpson and Smith, of Whitstable, Kent. But Paula and husband Mark, of Kings Hill, campaigned for them to face justice.
The judge at their trial called it one of the worst child abuse cases he could imagine – but he could only impose the maximum term of 10 years on each of them in February 2018. The sick pair will be freed once they have served half, with any time spent on remand taken into account. Simpson has already been moved to a Category D open prison.
Paula, a mum of eight, said: “We could not have been happier or more relieved when the judge imposed the longest sentence allowed by law at the time. We always knew they’d be free in half that time but it just feels so unfair.”
Paula won a partial victory in her “Tony’s Law” campaign for tougher sentences when the Government agreed to change the law last November. But her campaign also demands those convicted of child cruelty be monitored, similar to how the sex offenders’ register works.
At the moment, once licence conditions and probation service supervision have expired, Simpson and Smith will be free to do what they want.
Paula said: “Sex offenders have to notify police for years, sometimes indefinitely, of where they are living and any aliases they use, so why should those who physically or mentally abuse children be any different? Simpson and Smith could end up having more children or babysitting for a neighbour who has no idea of their crimes.
“Once their prison licence period is up, there is no way of knowing what they are doing.”
More jail time for beasts like Simpson and Smith could be law by March. And Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has asked officials to look into the idea of a child cruelty register.
Paula, 53, added: “It’s ironic that just as Tony’s Law comes into force, our son’s abusers could be enjoying day release.
“At least it will give judges the power to ensure others who assault children spend longer behind bars. But the risk may continue after they are back on the streets and our most vulnerable members of society deserve further protection in the form of a child cruelty register.”
Despite his horrendous start in life, Tony has astounded the nation with his achievements.
Inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, he raised £1.6million for Evelina London Children’s Hospital in 2020 by walking 10km over 30 days using his first pair of prosthetic legs. He went on to be win a Pride of Britain Award and in December last year he met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their carol service at Westminster Abbey.
The Ministry of Justice said: “Tony and his adoptive parents have led an inspiring and successful campaign to change the law, so those who abuse children face the tougher sentences they deserve. This Government is committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our society.”
