Latest news with #PaulaHudgell
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Tony Hudgell's loving adoptive mother reveals she is battling stage four cancer - as she tells supporters she is 'ready for the biggest fight of my life'
Paula Hudgell, the devoted adoptive mother of child abuse survivor and double amputee Tony Hudgell, has revealed she is battling stage four lung cancer. The 59-year-old former nurse - who transformed the life of Tony, now ten, and campaigns for tougher child cruelty laws - was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022. After a period of recovery, she has now been given the devastating news that the disease has returned and spread to her lung. 'It's been a really tough few weeks,' she said. 'In 2022, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer - and after feeling the best I have in years, I've now been hit with the heartbreaking news that it's returned, and this time it's also in my lung. 'Stage 4. It's been a huge shock, and it's taken some time for us to get our heads around it.' Sharing a photo on Instagram showing the marking on her skin from a portacath being fitted [a medical device used to administer treatments], she continued: 'In ten days, I'll start aggressive chemo. 'We don't know exactly what the future holds, but I'm ready to give this the biggest fight of my life.' Paula lives in Kent with her husband Mark and their family, including Tony, whom she and Mark adopted in 2016 after he survived horrific abuse at the hands of his birth parents. Tony was just six weeks old when he suffered multiple fractures, sepsis, organ failure and ultimately had to have both legs amputated. Despite his traumatic start in life, Tony has grown into a cheerful and determined young boy under Paula's care - learning to walk on prosthetic legs, raising more than £1.8 million for children's charities, and even winning a Pride of Britain award. He has also won the admiration of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who have publicly praised him for his bravery and resilience. In 2022, thanks to Paula's campaigning alongside MPs and charities, 'Tony's Law' was introduced to increase the maximum prison sentence for those who cause or allow serious harm or death to a child. Though she now faces her own health battle, Paula made it clear that the work she and Tony have done together will continue. 'To our amazing friends and family: thank you for your love, support, and strength - you've been incredible, and it means the world,' she added. 'As for Tony and everything the @tonyhudgellfoundation stands for - nothing stops. The Lapland trips for the kids and their families will still go ahead, and I'll always be Tony's biggest supporter, just from the backseat for now, letting others take the reins.' Paula's message ended with a stark but heartfelt plea: 'This beast may have returned, but I'm not going anywhere without a fight. And please - check your poo. Early detection saves lives.' Supporters have flooded her post with comments, including ITV's Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, who wrote: 'Oh no, I'm so very sorry to hear this - sending you so much love & a huge hug. Keep fighting.'
The Sun
30-06-2025
- The Sun
Mum who abused son so badly he lost both his legs is FREED from jail four years early
AN EVIL mum who abused her baby so badly he had to have both legs amputated was released from prison today. Jody Simpson, 33, and her partner Anthony Smith, 53, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for causing or allowing the torture of their son Tony Hudgell, now 10. 6 6 6 Now, the cruel parent has walked free from prison - after serving only around six years of her sentence. Double-amputee Tony, who is the youngest ever recipient of the British Empire Medal for his fundraising efforts, faces life-long challenges due to the injuries he received as a tot. But, after two years on license Simpson will face no conditions on her freedom. Simpson was first released from prison on license in February 2023 - after only serving five years of her sentence. Then, less than a year later in May 2024, the monster was recalled to prison after starting a relationship with a sex offender - in breach of her conditions. She 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 has been released, with strict license conditions controlling what she does for the next couple of years. Simpson will have to report any new relationships to her probation officer, get regularly drug tested and will be GPS tagged. Paula Hudgell, 57, from West Malling, Kent, who adopted Tony when he was just a baby, said: 'It just feels very unfair that Simpson is now free to live her life and Tony is still dealing with the consequences of her actions and will be for life. 'I appreciate there is a prison overcrowding crisis and that the Parole Board has placed strict conditions on her, but it does not feel like enough. 'After her license expires in two years time she will be completely free to do whatever she wants - including getting in a situation where she could cause harm to more children. 'That is why I am campaigning for a national Child Cruelty Register to be introduced. 'It would work in a similar way to the sex offenders register and would mean people like Simpson would be monitored for life to prevent her hurting anymore innocent kids. 'Nothing can change what they did to Tony, but by bringing in this measure we could stop horrific incidents of abuse and neglect from happening in the future.' Simpson and Smith were convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect by failing to seek immediate medical attention Doctors discovered baby Tony had multiple catastrophic injuries to his tiny body - with both his birth parents failing to get him help before it was almost too late. Both of his legs were amputated and the brave 10-year-old faces ongoing struggles due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on him. 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 Jody Simpson has been released as directed by the Independent Parole Board, she will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. "She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules.' 6 6
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Evil dad abused my boy so badly he lost both his legs… but here's why I'd rather he be released from jail early
THE ADOPTIVE mum of a boy abused by his dad has revealed why she would rather he be released from prison early. Anthony Smith, 53, faces a parole hearing today which could see him freed early. 5 5 Smith and his partner Jody Simpson, 33, were both jailed for 10 years for the abuse of brave Tony, now 10. Simpson faced her parole hearing on May 19, and was cleared for release from prison - despite showing 'no remorse'. Now Tony's violent birth father is due to face his own hearing on June 19. But, Paula Hudgell, 57, who adopted Tony when he was just a baby, said she would almost rather the monster was released early license as he face would regular checks. This would not be the case if he reaches the end of his sentence in 2027 as he will face no conditions on his freedom. It means the evil abuser could change his identity, as he did several times before his trial, move wherever he wants and even come into contact with more children. Paula is now reiterating her plea to the government to introduce a child cruelty register, so monsters like Smith and Simpson will be tracked for the rest of their lives. She said: 'Ahead of Simpson's parole hearing I felt angry, just so angry, but for this one I am scared. 'I doubt he has shown a single shred of remorse, there will have been no rehabilitation, he will remain a terrifying, dangerous man and he could be coming out in a matter of weeks. 'This may sound horrible, but I'd almost rather he was released now - that way I know he'll be monitored, he'll be on license. Girl, 3, killed in 'human sacrifice by her mum to drive out spirits' 'But, if they deny his parole and push it back to the end of his sentence in August 2027 he will be released without any conditions at all. 'I am terrified he will change his name and just disappear, because at trial it was shown he was using a number of aliases. 'Smith and Simpson even disappeared while they were on bail and no one knew where they were, they both clearly know how to game the system, and what is to stop them doing it again? 'Some people say they're badly educated and didn't know better, some people even say their crimes aren't their fault because of that, but they are both clearly able to work the system. 'They both know exactly what to say to the authorities to get let out, they have legal representatives telling them how to comport themselves and so yet again, it is all about them and not about the victim - Tony. 'Smith will be free to hurt more children either this year or in a few years time all because there is no centralised register for child abusers. 'That's why I am urging MPs to listen to what we have to say - they may think we have a centralised system because that would make sense - but we don't. 'We need politicians to come together to protect children because otherwise monsters like Simpson and Smith and ones we haven't even heard of will be free to live their lives exactly how they want - putting more innocent kids at risk of harm or even death.' Smith was jailed in 2018 for 10 years after being convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect by failing to seek immediate medical attention Doctors discovered baby Tony had multiple catastrophic injuries to his tiny body - with both his birth parents failing to get him help before it was almost too late. The evil pair then waited 10 agonising days to get Tony the help he needed - with the tot almost dying due to infection. Both of his legs were amputated and the brave 10-year-old faces ongoing struggles due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on him. In June 2023, Smith launched an unsuccessful bid to be granted parole, with the Parole Board stating at the time he would not be released until 2027 - unless a suitable return to community arrangement was found. At the time, the Parole Board said: "Having considered the index offences, relevant patterns of previous offending and the other evidence before it, the panel listed as risk factors those influences which made it more likely that Mr Smith would reoffend. "At the time of his offending, these risk factors had included Mr Smith's chaotic life, his abuse of drugs and his use of alcohol. "He has acted recklessly and impulsively and has struggled to manage extreme emotions," the ruling continued. "The panel considered his relationships, isolation, boredom, poor decision making and an inability to deal with life's problems to be further areas of risk. Specifically, he has no concept of the responsibilities entailed in caring for a child." His former partner Simpson, Tony's birth mother, was released on license in February 2023, but was back in jail by May 2024 having breached her license by starting a relationship with a sex offender. The abuser 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. She will be released from prison in the coming weeks, with strict license conditions including reporting any new relationships to her probation officer, regular drug tests, a curfew and being fitted with a GPS tag. 5 5
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
Cowardly mum tortured my boy so severely he lost both his legs – she has no remorse for her heinous, life-altering crime
A MUM has been jailed after her baby son received horrific, life changing injuries which resulted in him losing both his legs has shown no remorse, according to his adoptive family. Jody Simpson, 33, and her partner Anthony Smith were both jailed after little Tony Hudgell, now 10, was abused so badly as a baby that he ended up with multiple catastrophic injuries to his legs, hips and face. 6 And, despite her time in prison, Simpson still does not show remorse for what she did, according to Paula Hudgell, who adopted Tony when he was a baby. Simpson is due to be released from prison imminently after a Parole Board ruled that she was no longer a risk to the public. Paula, 57, said: 'In my view Jody has shown no remorse at all. 'She is still a high risk to children and refuses to face up to what she has done to Tony. 'The parole board say they believe they will be able to manage her in the community, but she has already proved she is not trustworthy by starting a relationship with a sex offender the last time she was out. 'It just shows the sort of person she is, totally remorseless and still a danger to children. 'For us, the worst part is that in two years her license conditions will end and she will be free to do whatever she wants, maybe even have another child. 'That is our worst nightmare, that this person, who simply is not sorry for what she's done, will inflict this suffering on another innocent kid.' Paula, from West Malling, Kent has been campaigning for the introduction of a child cruelty register, similar to a sex offenders register, which would allow authorities to keep track of child abusers after their license expires. Simpson will be released from prison after the Parole Board deemed she would not be a risk to the public, according to documents released earlier this week. Speaking ahead of her release, Paula said: '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. Boy, 6, killed in 'exorcism' with body found wrapped in cloth as mom 'insists God told her to force demons out of him' '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. '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.' Simpson was first jailed in 2018 for 10 years after being convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect by failing to seek immediate medical attention Doctors discovered baby Tony had multiple catastrophic injuries to his tiny body - with both his birth parents failing to get him help before it was almost too late. The evil pair then waited 10 agonising days to get Tony the help he needed - with the tot almost dying due to infection. Both of his legs were amputated and the brave 10-year-old faces ongoing struggles due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on him. She was released on license in February 2023, but was back in jail by May 2024 having breached her license by starting a relationship with a sex offender. The abuser 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. She will be released from prison in the coming weeks, with strict license conditions including reporting any new relationships to her probation officer, regular drug tests, a curfew and being fitted with a GPS tag. 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 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.' 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." 6 6 6 6
The Independent
06-06-2025
- 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.'
