‘Why can’t his abusers face a lifetime of punishment?’: Adoptive parents of boy, seven, who was beaten so badly by his birth mother that he lost both his legs slam her bid to apply for day release from prison
- Tony Hudgell was a baby when he rushed to hospital with numerous fractures
- The seven-year-old amputee was later adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell
- Birth parents Jody Simpson and Tony Smith were sentenced to ten years in jail
- Simpson – who could be free in August this year – has applied for day release
The adoptive mother of seven-year-old amputee Tony Hudgell has spoken of her anger at learning his birth mother who tortured him so badly that he lost both his legs has applied for day release.
Tony was just 41-days-old when he was rushed to hospital with multiple organ failure, numerous fractures and sepsis following horrific abuse at the hands of his parents, Jody Simpson and Tony Smith in 2014.
After a six week battle to save him, doctors made the decision to stop all but palliative care.
But they were unable to because Tony was a ward of court and the courts had closed for Christmas.
Incredibly, Tony fought back and was able to recover from his life-threatening injuries.
He was soon adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell who have since successfully campaigned for longer sentences for anyone who seriously harms a child.
But Ms Hudgell has now spoken of her anger after discovering Tony’s birth mother is asking for day release.
Paula Hudgell, the adoptive mother of seven-year-old amputee Tony Hudgell, has spoken of her anger at learning his birth mother has applied for day release
Tony was just 41-days-old when he was rushed to hospital with multiple organ failure, numerous fractures and sepsis in 2014
The young boy’s birth parents Jody Simpson (left) and Tony Smith (right) were both jailed for child cruelty and received the maximum sentence of 10 years
Ms Hudgell told The Sunday Mirror: ‘Our little boy faces a lifetime of challenges – why can’t his abusers face a lifetime of punishment?’
She added: ‘Every day, he has to overcome the impact of the life-changing injuries they inflicted to his tiny body.
‘Yet the monsters that caused his pain and suffering have the gall to ask for day release, all the while counting down the days to permanent freedom in a few months.’
Tony was admitted to the Evelina London Children’s in Southwark, south east London, in 2015 after being tortured by his birth parents Jody Simpson and Tony Smith, of Whitstable, Kent.
He had been attacked by his parents and left with broken fingers and toes, plus torn ligaments in his legs.
He was then left untreated and in pain for ten days.
In 2018, Simpson and Smith were both convicted of child cruelty and received a ten-year jail sentence.
In 2021, the Government increased the maximum punishment for child cruelty offences after the tireless campaigning by Tony’s adoptive parents.
Under the changes, the maximum jail sentence for anyone who causes or allows a child’s death was increased from 14 years to life imprisonment.
Last year Ms Hudgell revealed her son had ‘no interest’ in walking until watching the war veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore walking laps in his garden to raise money for the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The young boy, who was inspired by the war veteran’s efforts, walked 10km for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital after receiving his first prosthetics.
Tony was admitted to the Evelina London Children’s in Southwark, south east London, in 2015
In December 2021 Tony met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their festive carol concert at Westminster Abbey
The seven-year-old (pictured with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby) raised £1,073,121 raised for Evelina London Children’s Hospital in just a month
Ms Hudgell later told BBC Breakfast that she firmly believed Tony would not be walking today if it had not been for Captain Tom.
She said: ‘Tony wasn’t interested in trying to walk before he saw Captain Tom on the TV, and he was just absolutely taken aback by him.
‘He said, ‘I can do that’ and wanted to set his own challenge, and we did, not expecting it to be anything like it was.
‘If it wasn’t for Captain Tom I don’t think Tony would be walking on his prosthetics today.’
She added: ‘Tony absolutely adored Captain Tom and he was really hoping that he would be able to meet him… Tony talks about him every day and I’m sure he will carry on still talking about him and in years to come he will always say ‘the person that inspired me to walk was Captain Tom’.’
Tony had initially set out to raise £500 for the hospital but his incredible efforts captured the hearts of thousands across the nation and saw him raise a staggering £1,073,121 for Evelina London Children’s Hospital in just a month.
He later received a letter of congratulations from the Duchess of Cambridge, who commended his ‘amazing’ fundraising efforts – adding that his achievement was ‘hugely appreciated.’
The Duchess of Cambridge wrote: ‘It was wonderful to hear how you were inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s story to carry out your own walk. I am very impressed that you carried on even after reaching your target of 10km!
‘I know that your efforts have been hugely appreciated by Eveline, and we are all so proud of what you have achieved.
‘I hope that you manage to have a very well deserved rest before starting on your next adventure – whatever that may be! Catherine.’
In December 2021, Tony met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their festive carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
He also received a Pride of Britain award in 2020.
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