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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Julia Roberts

Boy 'scared and anxious' as vile parents who abused him could ask to be freed from jail

The wicked couple locked up for abusing Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell so badly he needed both legs amputating are asking to be set free within weeks.

Jody Simpson, 24, and Anthony Smith, 47, who were jailed for 10 years for abuse and neglect of their son, were due for automatic release in August until Justice Secretary Dominic Raab stepped in.

Their parole hearings mean they could walk in January. Simpson may be out in 48 hours if she wins a High Court challenge against Mr Raab.

The evil pair’s abuse left their six-week-old son Tony with life-changing ­fractures, organ failure and sepsis. They failed to call doctors for 10 days.

Tony was tortured for days by his birth parents Jody Simpson and Anthony Smith (Mirrorpix)
Tony, pictured with adoptive dad Mark Hudgell, raises his Pride of Britain award (Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

In 2018, they were convicted at Maidstone crown court in Kent of child cruelty and causing or allowing serious physical harm to Tony, who is now eight and thriving with adoptive parents Paula and Mark Hudgell.

The young campaigner has raised more than £1.7million for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, which saved his life.

Mum-of-eight Paula, 54, of Kings Hill, Kent, wants a national register for child abusers.

Anthony Smith, 47 (Kent Police)
Jody Simpson, 24 (Kent Police)

She said: “He is very angry with them and angry they could be allowed out of prison. He is quite scared and anxious. The abuse he suffered hurts him every day. He has ­often asked ‘When will my legs grow back?’.

“I hope the panel will listen to every word I have to say. They have no right to complain if their ­release is denied.”

Tony’s Law, which ups the top jail term for child abusers and killers, was introduced in June.

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