Latest news with #PaulaHudgell
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Tony Hudgell's birth mother still ‘high risk to children', adoptive parent says
The adoptive mother of Tony Hudgell said his birth mother remains a 'high risk to children' as she is set to be released from prison. In 2018, Jody Simpson – along with Tony's birth father Anthony Smith – were sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of assaulting, ill-treating or neglecting their child. Tony's injuries were so severe, his legs had to be amputated. Simpson was originally released in 2023, before being recalled to prison in May 2024 having broken the conditions of her licence. The probation service believes that it can monitor and control Simpson in the community with stringent conditions. On Thursday, Tony's adopted mother Paula Hudgell told Nick Ferrari on LBC breakfast that Simpson had 'already proved' she could not be managed in the community. Ms Hudgell said: 'To be honest I expected it, I sat through and observed the parole hearing which obviously I can't discuss, but I realised then that she will be released. 'They feel that they can manage her in the community, even though she is still a high risk to children. 'She's already proved once that she can't be managed in the community by breaking her licence conditions.' She added: 'At the end of the day, in two years' time she will have finished her licence anyway and she'll be free to roam the streets, do what she wants, live her life, have children go on to have new relationships etcetera with no monitoring at all.' Tony and his adopted parents successfully campaigned for 'Tony's Law', which has changed the maximum sentences judges can pass down for child abuse offences. In light of the imminent release, they are calling for a register whereby authorities can keep tabs on people who commit offences against children. Ms Hudgell told LBC that Simpson had shown 'no remorse' and that her son Tony – who is now 10 – has his own views on what should have happened to them. 'His views, originally were that they should have had the electric chair,' she said. A spokesperson for The Ministry of Justice 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.'
Sky News
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
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 calls for child abusers to be given life behind bars. 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. 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." 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."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Evil mum who tortured son so badly he lost both his legs will be freed from jail EARLY sparking anger from family
AN EVIL mum jailed after her baby son received horrific, life changing injuries which resulted in him losing both his legs is set to walk free from prison. When Jody Simpson's son Tony Hudgell, now 10, was taken to hospital aged just 41 days old doctors discovered catastrophic damage had been done to his tiny body - with his cruel parents failing to get help until it was almost too late. 7 7 7 His mother, now 33, and her partner Anthony Smith were convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect of their son Tony by failing to seek immediate medical attention for him and jailed in 2018 for 10 years. She was released last February but was recalled to prison in June 2024 after breaking her strict licence conditions by having 'a relationship with a convicted sex offender'. The cruel parent was due to be automatically re-released earlier this year, but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stepped in – forcing Simpson to face a parole hearing on May 19. Now, it can be revealed that she will be released imminently, with strict license conditions controlling what she does. Simpson will have to report any new relationships to her probation officer, get regularly drug tested and will be GPS tagged. But, brave Tony's adoptive mum Paula Hudgell, 57, does not think it is fair Simpson will be free, while her son has to live with the consequences of her horrific cruelty for the rest of his life. 7 Paula told The Sun: 'We knew this was coming after being at the parole hearing and in light of what the Government is doing to ease prison crowding, so it was expected. "The frustration for us is that she will be on license for two years and then will be able to live a happy life, whereas Tony will have life-long problems because of her and Anthony Smith's actions. 'We made the change with Tony's law and now future cases are supposed to get lengthier sentences. 'But with the Government's new policy to release prisoners including child abusers and paedophiles early it sort of makes a mockery of that new sentencing power. 'We are grateful that Shabana Mahmood stepped in and blocked her from being released without a parole hearing, that meant she was in prison longer than she would have been otherwise, but it just feels wrong that she should be free while Tony has to live with the consequences of her actions for life. Evil mum who tortured son so badly he lost his legs is ATTACKED in cell - after being recalled for sex offender fling 'All the politicians we speak to on both sides know about Tony's case, which I think has helped. 'They all know the story and see that despite his limitations Tony is still just a normal 10-year-old boy who just wants to do all the things normal 10-year-old boys do. 'I think that has helped our campaign, and now we just want to use that to make sure child abusers are properly punished.' 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. 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." 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.' 7 7 7
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Tony Hudgell's birth mother Jody Simpson to be freed from prison
The birth mother of Tony Hudgell, who injured him so badly as a baby his legs had to be amputated, is to be released from 2018 Tony's birth parents Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson were sentenced to 10 years in was adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell, from Kent, and has since raised millions of pounds for charity through a series of challenges.A spokesperson for the parole board confirmed a panel had directed that Simpson be released following an oral hearing. Both Simpson and Smith had denied assaulting, ill treating or neglecting their Hudgell posted on social media criticising the said: "Tony has life long injuries every day he suffers due to her hands."In 2024, Tony, from West Malling, underwent surgery to be fitted for new prosthetics to allow him to walk without has received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse. The parole board spokesperson said decisions were "solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community".They added: "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."They said hundreds of pages of evidence and reports would have been read in the lead up to an oral also said 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 added: "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
