A mother who inflicted such severe abuse on her baby son that he later had to have both legs amputated is set to be released early from prison. The woman, Jody Simpson, along with Anthony Smith, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for her role in the horrific abuse of their son, Tony Hudgell, who is now 10 years old.
Tony was just 41 days old when he was brutally assaulted. For 10 days, he was left in excruciating pain without medical treatment. The injuries he sustained included multiple fractures, dislocations, and blunt-force trauma to his face. These injuries led to life-threatening complications including organ failure, toxic shock syndrome, and sepsis. The extent of the damage was so severe that both of Tony’s legs had to be amputated.
Simpson was originally set to be released in August 2022 under the automatic release system that typically sees prisoners freed on licence at the halfway point of their sentence. However, concerns about the nature of her crime led to the Justice Secretary intervening and referring her case to the Parole Board. Her release was subsequently delayed pending further review.
Despite the intervention, a recent hearing by the Parole Board concluded that Simpson could be released. In its decision, the board stated that it considered a wide range of evidence, including the original crime, any signs of rehabilitation, the harm caused to the victim, and the risk posed to the public. It emphasized that public protection remains its top priority and that such cases are evaluated with extreme care and caution.
The decision has reignited a wave of public anger. Tony’s adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, expressed deep disappointment, highlighting that her son lives daily with the consequences of the abuse. In a social media post, she reminded the public that the physical and emotional injuries Tony sustained are permanent and were inflicted by the very person now being granted freedom.
The case of Tony Hudgell has had far-reaching implications beyond the courtroom. It sparked national outrage and fueled a campaign for harsher punishments for child abusers. This movement, supported by several lawmakers, pushed for legislative changes known as “Tony’s Law,” which calls for longer prison terms for those who commit serious abuse against children.
A prominent Member of Parliament who championed the campaign voiced his support for Tony and emphasized the need to ensure child abusers face consequences that match the severity of their crimes. He reiterated the importance of continued reform to safeguard vulnerable children and prevent similar tragedies.
Tony himself, despite the unimaginable start to his life, has gone on to become a symbol of resilience. He has raised significant amounts of money for charity and has even been honored by members of the Royal Family for his inspirational efforts.
While Simpson will be released, authorities have confirmed that she will be under strict supervision. The Ministry of Justice stated that she will face stringent licence conditions and will be immediately returned to prison if she breaches any of them.
Simpson’s co-defendant, Anthony Smith, also faced delayed release. He was due for automatic release in September 2022, but his freedom was blocked at the time, under similar public and governmental scrutiny.
The case continues to stir debate around justice, punishment, and how best to protect society’s most vulnerable from those who have caused irreparable harm.
