Brave lad, six, who lost his legs after parents’ abuse could have new law named after him
A BRAVE lad who lost his legs after being abused by his parents could have a new law named after him.
Tony’s Law — for Tony Hudgell, six — would hike maximum jail time for child cruelty to life.
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who is proposing the law, said: “Protecting children by allowing courts to hand out stricter sentences in the most serious and horrific cases is an important step.
“Tony was betrayed by his parents — those who come after must not be let down by us.”
Those guilty of killing a child through cruelty would face a maximum of life in prison, up from 14 years.
Those who cause serious harm face 14 years instead of ten.
Prosecutors sometimes use child cruelty laws for extreme cases if there is not enough evidence to proceed with stronger charges that carry tougher sentences.
Tony was so badly beaten in the first weeks of his life that he lost both his legs.
Parents Tony Smith and Jody Simpson got ten years.
Tony now lives with adoptive parents Paula and Mark in Kings Hill, Kent.
He has raised £1million for the hospital that saved him by walking 10km on prosthetics.
'Options for court'
TONY Hudgell was beaten so badly he was left severely disabled.
His parents got the maximum ten-year sentence but the judge could not give them longer as it was not known if his mum or dad struck the blows.
That’s not right. Both are responsible.
I’m calling for Tony’s Law to give judges more choice in dealing with the most severe cases of violence, abuse or neglect of children and vulnerable adults.
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Paula said: “We would be overjoyed if the Government passed this law.”
Mr Tugendhat wants the Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to back a Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill amendment.
A Government source said they would consider the proposal.
THE SUN SAYS
Do it for Tony
SIX-YEAR-OLD Tony Hudgell was so badly abused as a baby by his birth parents he had to have both legs amputated.
The cruelty and pain they inflicted beggars belief and yet, because of a legal loophole, when the vermin were eventually brought to justice they got only ten years’ prison each.
That is why we need a Tony’s Law to hike the maximum sentence for child cruelty to life, to protect others like this brave boy.