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Tony's Law: Child abusers to recieve life sentences after campaign by Paula and Tony Hudgell

Child abusers will face spending life in prison as a change in the law takes effect today following a four-year campaign.

Paula and Mark Hudgell have fought tirelessly for the change since their adopted son Tony suffered life-changing injuries at the hands of his biological parents when he was just 41 days old.

Paula Hudgell speaks about the law changes

Tony was taken to Evelina London children's Hospital with multiple organ failures, numerous fractures in his legs and sepsis in November 2014.

His life hung in the balance with doctors eventually only providing palliative care but against all odds little Tony pulled through and in February 2015 he was adopted by Paula and Mark.

Now aged seven, Tony is a double amputee with both legs removed from the knee down and living with his new family in Kings Hill.

On October 16, 2018, his birth parents, Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson from Maidstone, were both sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum time in jail for child abuse allowed at the time.

Now under Tony's Law, abusers could face life in prison if they cause or allow the death of a child, rising from 14 years under the old law.

Anthony Smith was jailed for 10 years for cruelty inflicted on his baby Tony. Picture: Kent Police
Anthony Smith was jailed for 10 years for cruelty inflicted on his baby Tony. Picture: Kent Police
Jody Simpson jailed for 10 years for child cruelty of Tony Hudgell. Picture: Kent Police
Jody Simpson jailed for 10 years for child cruelty of Tony Hudgell. Picture: Kent Police

Those who cause or allow harm to children will have their maximum sentence raised from 10 to 14 years.

Paula, who previously spoke of her anger at Simpson applying for day release, said she is "absolutely over the moon" at the changes finally coming into effect.

She told KentOnline: "It's been a long four-year battle but we got there in the end.

"It's great to think a seven-year-old has changed the law and even Tony likes to go around saying he's a lawmaker.

"Hopefully, people will now think twice about offending if they knew they could face a life sentence rather than a petty one.

Dominic Raab with Tony Hudgell
Dominic Raab with Tony Hudgell

"It's quite a momentous occasion, it's finally there, it's in the history books and there were times we thought it wouldn't make it.

"Tony has been by my side the entire time and not let me give up."

She added: "It’s been our hope since those who abused our son were jailed that more could be done to protect other children, the most vulnerable members of our society.

"I can’t thank the public enough for the support they have shown."

Justice secretary and deputy prime minister Dominic Raab paid tribute to the Hudgell family's efforts in lobbying for the new sentences.

"The law must provide maximum protection to the most vulnerable and no-one is more vulnerable than a young child."

Tony and mum Paula Hudgell at home in Kings Hill. Picture: Sean Aiden
Tony and mum Paula Hudgell at home in Kings Hill. Picture: Sean Aiden

Paula attended a meeting with Minister for Children and Junior Education Minister Will Quince yesterday about introducing a new child abusers register - something she suggested in previous years.

Speaking after the meeting, Paula said: "It seemed quite productive and promising although there hasn't been any confirmation yet on whether it will happen but they acknowledged that something like what was suggested was needed.

"There are a lot of changes coming through at the moment and we know it won't happen overnight but there's a lot of support for something like this in parliament.

"There needs to be something because your next door neighbour could've been sentenced for abuse and you wouldn't know it.

"I was initially suggesting something similar to the sex offenders register but this would require as much attention and would need to be done effectively to work.

"They are listening and I am coming away from the meeting feeling good. In principle, it is a good idea and they agree it is but it's just now working out how it can be done logistically."

Minister for Children, Will Quince
Minister for Children, Will Quince

Mr Raab has also supported the idea as part of the government's National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel's investigation into the deaths of other abused children Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson.

He said: "[Their deaths] provide an opportunity to consider whether the establishment of a child cruelty register would help prevent such horrendous crimes happening again.

"I am pleased to confirm that the education secretary has shared my request with the panel chair, Annie Hudson, to consider how the review can further our thinking in this space."

The review is set to provide recommendations about national guidance on how to improve safeguarding for children and protect vulnerable youngsters in the future.

Mr Raab says the government "will consider its recommendations very carefully and that we will continue to do everything in our power to protect vulnerable children from abuse".

A child cruelty register could see any future children of convicted abusers removed from their care and a ban on close contact with other children.

Tony Hudgell, seven, was abused by his birth parents aged just 41 days old and has had both legs amputated but now walks on prosthetics. Picture: David Tett
Tony Hudgell, seven, was abused by his birth parents aged just 41 days old and has had both legs amputated but now walks on prosthetics. Picture: David Tett

Tony has gone on to follow in the footsteps of hero Captain Tom Moore who walked laps of his garden for charity before his 100th birthday.

Upon seeing the Captain embark on his mission, Tony said 'he's just like me' and wanted to do the same.

By walking 10km, on his newly mastered prosthetics, the then five-year old raised more than £1 million pounds for the hospital that helped save his life at six weeks old.

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