Victory for victims: PM hails powers keeping abusive mother behind bars

BORIS Johnson has hailed new powers that mean a mother who tortured her baby so severely he lost both legs will be kept in jail.

Jody Simpson and Anthony Smith were both handed ten-year sentences in 2018 for torturing their son, Tony Hudgell.

The boy, who is now seven, was just 41 days old when he was assaulted – causing multiple fractures, dislocations and blunt trauma to the face. The horrific injuries led to organ failure, toxic shock and sepsis.

He was left untreated and in agony for ten days and the terrible damage meant both his legs had to be amputated. Simpson was due for automatic release yesterday – the half-way point of her sentence – but Justice Secretary Dominic Raab launched a lastminute bid to extend her time behind bars, using powers introduced earlier this year.

It means the Parole Board will now have to scrutinise Simpson’s case before deciding if she is safe to release.

Tony has raised more than £1.7million for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital where he was treated and his adoptive parents have campaigned for tougher sentencing for child abusers.

After welcoming the family to Downing Street for a reception this week, the Prime Minister praised the little boy for his ‘sheer determination’, which he said had ‘shown the very best of the spirit of this country’.

Writing in the Daily Mail today, Mr Johnson says: ‘As long as we are blessed by individuals like little Tony Hudgell – people who refuse to be beaten, who won’t take no for an answer, who overcome unimaginable obstacles to do what’s right – millions of us will be inspired to do what we can to make this a better, safer world for us all.’ Tougher sentences for child abusers came into force this year under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.

Anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their household can now be given up to life in prison – up from the previous 14-year maximum.

The Act also gave the Justice Secretary the ability to refer cases to the Parole Board if there are fears an offender may still pose a risk to the public.

The sentencing changes are known as ‘Tony’s Law’ following a campaign by the boy and his adoptive parents Paula and Mark.