Latest news with #ParoleBoard
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mother who abused her baby so badly his legs had to be amputated to be released from prison
A mother who abused her newborn son so badly that he had to have both legs amputated is due to be released early from prison. Tony Hudgell was just 41 days old when he was assaulted by Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith in 2018. He was left in agony for 10 days with his injuries untreated until he was taken to hospital for multiple fractures, blunt trauma to the face, and bone dislocations. As well as having his legs amputated, he also endured organ failure and sepsis. His birth parents were convicted of causing or allowing their baby to sustain injury and of wilful neglect. They were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, Simpson is set for release just seven years into her sentence, three years after a previous release date was put on hold due to an intervention from then-justice secretary Dominic Raab. After being treated for his injuries, Tony, now aged 10, is with his adoptive parents Paula and Mark Hudgell from Kent. Criticising the decision, Mrs Hudgell, who has campaigned for tougher jail sentences for convicted child abusers, wrote on X: "Tony has life-long injuries every day he suffers due to her hands.' Tony has since helped raise millions for charity through completing a series of challenges, and has received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse. A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing. "Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. "Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. "It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mum who abused son so badly he had to have his legs amputated to be freed early from prison
A mother who abused her child so badly he had to have his legs amputated is to be released early from prison. Jody Simpson and Anthony Smith were both jailed for 10 years in 2018 for torturing their son, Tony Hudgell, who is now 10. He was just 41 days old when he was assaulted by the pair and left untreated and in agony for 10 days. The attack caused multiple fractures, dislocations and blunt trauma to the face, leading to organ failure, toxic shock and sepsis. The damage meant both his legs had to be amputated. Simpson was due to be released on licence at the halfway point of her prison sentence in August 2022. However, then justice secretary Dominic Raab referred her case to the Parole Board and her release was put on hold. A spokesperson for the Parole Board on Wednesday confirmed Simpson was set to be released. Paula Hudgell, Tony's adoptive mother, criticised the decision in a social media post. "Tony has life long injuries every day he suffers due to her hands," she wrote on X. Tony's case led to a public outcry and . Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who led a campaign for the changes, which are also known as Tony's Law, said on X: "I'm backing Tony as he faces the early release of his abuser - his birth mum. "Tony lives every day with the pain caused by her crimes as a baby. We must do more to protect children like him." Tony has since gone on to be a successful fundraiser for charity - for which he has been honoured by the Royal Family. Read more: A statement from the Parole Board said: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing. "Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. "A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims." It added: "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority." Read more from Sky News: A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "This was a horrific crime that saw Tony Hudgell mercilessly tortured by his birth parents and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones. "Now that the independent Parole Board has directed her release, Jody Simpson will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules." Smith was due for automatic release in early September 2022, but .
Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Vile mum who abused Tony Hudgell so badly he lost legs to be released early
Jody Simpson caused Tony near-fatal injuries when he was just six weeks old. The Parole Board has ruled she can be released from prison. The despicable mother who inflicted such horrific abuse on young Tony Hudgell that he lost his legs is set to be released from prison, it has been revealed today. The Parole Board has decided that Jody Simpson, now 31, responsible for causing near-fatal injuries to Tony when he was just six weeks old, is eligible for release. The board stated her continued incarceration is "no longer necessary for the protection of the public" following her participation in rehabilitation programmes while incarcerated. Simpson and her partner Tony Smith, 54, the biological parents of Tony, were handed a 10-year jail term in February 2018 for causing multiple fractures, dislocations, and blunt force trauma to Tony's face. The child suffered without medical attention, enduring excruciating pain for 10 days. In the past few years, Tony, who was adopted by Mark and Paula Hudgell, has raised £1.8 million for charity, with a significant portion collected during the Covid pandemic as he walked 10km (6.2 miles) on his prosthetic limbs, reports the Mirror. Simpson was initially released in February this year at the halfway point of her sentence but was re-incarcerated in May after violating her licence conditions by engaging "in a relationship with a convicted sex offender". However, the Parole Board has now noted she has "engaged with art victim awareness work." They have reported that her conduct while in custody has been "without issue". Speaking today, Mrs Hudgell, 57, from West Malling, Kent, said: "Tony has lifelong injuries every day he suffered due to her hands. Two years on license, then she will be free completely to hurt another child or conceal a pregnancy again. The justice system is so wrong." A spokesperson for the Parole Board stated: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing. Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. "A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. "Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority." Last month, little Tony was the guest of honour at a Buckingham Palace garden party, where he had the opportunity to meet Prince William. His remarkable achievements in fundraising have garnered him widespread recognition. In 2020, at just five years old, Tony Hudgell set out to raise £509 for Evelina Children's Hospital by walking 10km on his prosthetic limbs. Astonishingly, he went on to collect a staggering £1.8 million for the hospital which saved his life. Jeremy Roberts KC, from the Parole Board, has previously lauded Tony for his tremendous courage. He said: "It is a tribute to Tony's resilience and character and to the exemplary care provided by the couple who have adopted him that he is growing up into a fine young man who, despite being unable to do many of the things which he would have liked to do, is making the best of the hand he has been dealt." Roberts further applauded Tony for raising substantial funds for the NHS during the pandemic. He added: "He raised a large sum of money for the NHS during the pandemic. He has received a number of awards for his achievements (the British Empire Medal, a Pride of Britain award and the Order of the British Empire). He was watched by millions of people within the United Kingdom and beyond when he received the Pride of Britain Award and he was personally invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. "Tony and his adoptive parents have campaigned successfully for 'Tony's Law' to increase the sentences available to judges in cases of this kind. The maximum sentence for causing or allowing injury to a child has now been increased from 10 years (the maximum which could be imposed in this case) to 14 years; and if the injury results in death a sentence of life imprisonment is now available." Simpson's partner, Smith, was refused parole in 2023. He is due another hearing, which will be conducted in private.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Vile mum who abused son so badly he lost his legs to be released from jail early
The Parole Board today confirmed Jody Simpson, now 31, could be freed from prison - seven years after she was jailed for inflicting horrifying injuries on little Tony Hudgell when he was six-weeks old The vile mum who abused little Tony Hudgell so severely he lost his legs is to be freed from prison, it emerged today. The Parole Board ruled Jody Simpson, now 31, who caused Tony near-fatal injuries when he was just six weeks old, can be released. The board said her imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public' after she had engaged with rehabilitation schemes in jail. Simpson and her partner Tony Smith, 54, birth parents to Tony, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018 after inflicting multiple fractures, dislocations and blunt trauma to Tony's face. The boy was left untreated and in agony for 10 days. In recent years, Tony, who was adopted by Mark and Paula Hudgell, has raised £1.8 million for charity, most of which came during the Covid pandemic, when he walked 10km (6.2 miles) on his prosthetic legs. Simpson was initially let out in February this year at an automatic release point but was sent back to jail in May, after breaking her licence conditions by having 'a relationship with a convicted sex offender'. But the Parole Board has now said she has 'engaged with art psychotherapy…and victim awareness work.' It said her behaviour in prison had been 'without issue'. On X today, Mrs Hudgell, 57, from West Malling, Kent, said: 'Tony has lifelong injuries every day he suffered due to her hands. Two years on license, then she will be free completely to hurt another child or conceal a pregnancy again. The justice system is so wrong.' A Parole Board spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing. Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. "Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority." Little Tony was a guest of honour at a Buckingham Palace garden party last month where he met Prince William. He has been recognised for his extraordinary fundraising efforts. In 2020, aged just 5, Tony Hudgell decided to try and raise £509 for the Evelina Children's Hospital by walking 10km on his prosthetic legs. In total, he raised an amazing £1.8 million for the hospital which saved his life. In a previous ruling, Jeremy Roberts KC from the Parole Board recognised Tony's immense strength. He said: 'It is a tribute to Tony's resilience and character and to the exemplary care provided by the couple who have adopted him that he is growing up into a fine young man who, despite being unable to do many of the things which he would have liked to do, is making the best of the hand he has been dealt. 'He raised a large sum of money for the NHS during the pandemic. He has received a number of awards for his achievements (the British Empire Medal, a Pride of Britain award and the Order of the British Empire). He was watched by millions of people within the United Kingdom and beyond when he received the Pride of Britain Award and he was personally invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. 'Tony and his adoptive parents have campaigned successfully for 'Tony's Law' to increase the sentences available to judges in cases of this kind. The maximum sentence for causing or allowing injury to a child has now been increased from 10 years (the maximum which could be imposed in this case) to 14 years; and if the injury results in death a sentence of life imprisonment is now available.' Simpson's partner Smith, was denied parole in 2023. He is due another hearing, which will be held in private.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Abusive mother of double amputee Tony Hudgell to be released from prison
A mother who abused her six-week-old son so severely he lost his legs is to be freed from prison. The Parole Board has ruled that Jody Simpson, who caused Tony Hudgell near-fatal injuries, can be released. The board said her imprisonment was 'no longer necessary for the protection of the public' after she had engaged with rehabilitation schemes in jail. Simpson and her partner Tony Smith, birth parents to Tony, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018 after inflicting multiple fractures, dislocations and blunt trauma to Tony's face. The boy was left untreated and in agony for 10 days. In recent years, Tony, who was adopted by Mark and Paula Hudgell, has raised £1.8 million for charity, most of which came during the Covid pandemic, when he walked 10km (6.2 miles) on his prosthetic legs. Simpson was initially let out in February this year at an automatic release point but was sent back to jail in May, after breaking her licence conditions by having 'a relationship with a convicted sex offender'. The Parole Board said she had 'engaged with art psychotherapy…and victim awareness work.' It said her behaviour in prison had been 'without issue'. In its judgment, it said: The panel noted Ms Simpson had done well for many months on licence prior to her developing an unwise relationship. However, it accepted that she now fully understands the risky situation she created for herself and the need for her to be open about her life with her probation officer. 'After considering the circumstances of her offending and time on licence, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.' Under the terms of her release licence, she will have to stay at a designated address and 'to be of good behaviour, to disclose developing relationships, and to report as required for supervision or other appointments.' She will also be subject to enhanced supervision or monitoring including drug testing, GPS tagging, signing-in times and a specified curfew. She will also only be allowed to meet designated contacts, be subject to an exclusion zone to avoid contact with victims and face restriction on her use of computers and the internet. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
