What is Tony's Law and what happened to Tony Hudgell? Government backs new child cruelty law - Birmingham Live

Government ministers have announced plans to introduce tougher sentences for convicted child abusers.

The announcement comes after a campaign led by the adoptive family of seven-year-old Tony Hudgell, who lost his legs after being abused by his birth parents.

His adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, said she was “delighted” at the proposed changes, which have been dubbed ‘Tony’s Law’.

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Tony’s Law is the term given to a series of changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. It will increase the maximum punishments for several child cruelty offences.

The proposed legislation will increase the maximum prison sentence for those who cause or allow a child to die from 14 years to life imprisonment.

In addition, the maximum sentence for those convicted of causing serious harm to children will increase from 10 to 14 years.

“It’s been our hope since those who abused our son were jailed in 2018 that more could be done to protect other children, the most vulnerable members of our society,” Mrs Hudgell said.

“This is for Tony and all the babies and children that suffered or lost their lives at the hands of their abusers,” she added.

Tony Hudgell was left severely disabled after being abused by his birth parents - Tony Smith and Jody Simpson - who attacked him when he was a baby.

He was left with broken fingers and toes, as well as torn ligaments in his legs. He was then left untreated and in pain for 10 days. The child’s legs then had to be amputated.

Smith and Simpson were convicted of assaulting, ill treating and neglecting Tony Hudgell in 2018. They were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, then the maximum sentence.

Brave Tony was adopted by Paula Hudgell and her husband Mark and last year the plucky youngster raised an incredible £1.5million for the hospital that saved his life by walking 10km on his prosthetics with crutches, The Mirror has reported.

The youngster won the Pride of Britain award this year and he has now ditched his crutches and walked unaided for the first time.

Proud mum Paula, 53, said Tony was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore and set himself a 100 steps challenge.

Paula, of Kings Hill, Kent, said: “We knew from previous challenges that Tony would probably beat it but he smashed it, completing more than 500 steps over the four days.”

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