Latest news with #Tony'sLaw
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell's mum makes vow after shock revelation
Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell's mum received national praise for giving the youngster a second chance after the abuse he suffered at the hands of his birth parents The mum of Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell has vowed to "give this the biggest fight of my life' after sharing that she is now fighting stage four lung cancer. Paula Hudgell, who gave Tony a second chance at life and has won national praise for her tireless campaigning on child abuse laws, has revealed the sad news that her cancer has returned and spread, nearly two years after she was first diagnosed. The 57-year-old former nurse adopted Tony in 2016 after he was left with life-changing injuries by his birth parents. The abuse little Tony suffered was so severe that both of the youngster's legs had to be amputated. Paula was honoured with an OBE in 2022 for her fight to bring about Tony's Law. But that same year she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and in a moving social media post on Saturday, she told followers the disease has now returned and spread. 'It's been a really tough few weeks,' she wrote in an emotional Instagram message. '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 of the marking left on her chest from the portacath used to deliver treatment, she added: '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 children, including Tony, now 10. The couple adopted him after he survived unimaginable abuse as a baby - suffering fractures, sepsis, organ failure, and ultimately losing both legs. But despite his brutal start in life, Tony has defied all odds. He has walked on prosthetics, raised over £1.8 million for charity, and become a national hero - winning a Pride of Britain award and receiving heartfelt praise from the Prince and Princess of Wales. Paula's relentless campaigning alongside MPs and child protection charities led to the introduction of Tony's Law in 2022, increasing the maximum jail terms for those who cause or allow serious harm or death to a child. Jody Simpson, 33, and her partner Tony Smith, 54, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018. But Simpson was freed from prison on June 30 following a risk assessment by the Parole Board. She will face strict conditions including on her movements and contact with others. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Mirror: "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."
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pride of Britain winner Tony Hudgell's mum reveals she's battling stage four cancer
Paula Hudgell, who won national praise for her tireless campaigning on child abuse laws, revealed that her cancer has returned and spread - nearly two years after she was first diagnosed The devoted mum who gave Tony Hudgell a second chance at life has shared the devastating news that she's now fighting stage four lung cancer after her cancer returned and spread. Paula Hudgell, who won national praise for her tireless campaigning on child abuse laws, revealed that her cancer has not only returned but has spread - nearly two years after she was first diagnosed. The 57-year-old former nurse adopted Tony in 2016 after he was left with life-changing injuries by his birth parents. The abuse little Tony suffered was so severe that both of the youngster's legs had to be amputated. Paula, who was honoured with an OBE in 2022 for her fight to bring about Tony's Law, was diagnosed with bowel cancer that same year. But in a moving social media post on Saturday, she told followers the disease has now progressed. 'It's been a really tough few weeks,' she wrote in an emotional Instagram message. '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 of the marking left on her chest from the portacath used to deliver treatment, she added: '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 children, including Tony, now 10. The couple adopted him after he survived unimaginable abuse as a baby - suffering fractures, sepsis, organ failure, and ultimately losing both legs. But despite his brutal start in life, Tony has defied all odds. He has walked on prosthetics, raised over £1.8 million for charity, and become a national hero - winning a Pride of Britain award and receiving heartfelt praise from the Prince and Princess of Wales. Paula's relentless campaigning alongside MPs and child protection charities led to the introduction of Tony's Law in 2022, increasing the maximum jail terms for those who cause or allow serious harm or death to a child.
North Wales Chronicle
06-06-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Tony Hudgell's birth mother still ‘high risk to children', adoptive parent says
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.'
Rhyl Journal
06-06-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Tony Hudgell's birth mother still ‘high risk to children', adoptive parent says
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.'
Leader Live
06-06-2025
- Leader Live
Tony Hudgell's birth mother still ‘high risk to children', adoptive parent says
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.'
