Paula Hudgell, from Kings Hill, sees 'Tony's Law' being approved in parliament in honour of son Tony Hudgell
18:41, 01 March 2022
updated: 19:09, 01 March 2022
A four year campaign by a determined mum means a new law is set to be introduced this month which could see child abusers jailed for life.
The legislation, named 'Tony's law', is inspired by double amputee Tony Hudgell, from Kings Hill.
The seven-year-old's adopted mother Paula, who has continuously campaigned for tougher punishment of child abusers, says the law 'ensures these monsters will stay behind bars for longer'.
She also promises she will continue her efforts for a national list of child abusers to be created, similar to the sex offenders register.
Tony was just six weeks old when in November 2014 his birth parents Jody Simpson and Anthony Smith inflicted such appalling fractures to his legs that he developed multi-organ failure and sepsis.
His injuries were so horrendous that he later had to have both legs amputated at the knee.
Paula Hudgell, 53, and her husband Mark, 57, applied to adopt Tony - nicknamed Bear - after caring for him as foster parents.
The brave youngster has since continued to thrive, battling through life-changing injuries to become a charity campaigner.
His abusers were each jailed for 10 years in February 2018.
However, in January, it was revealed that Simpson had applied for day release from prison ahead of her eventual freedom in August.
Despite this, Paula has continued to campaign for harsher jail sentences of child abusers.
The new 'Tony's Law', had its final reading in the House of Commons yesterday before it is given a royal approval.
Royal Assent is the Queen's agreement that is required to make a Bill into an Act of Parliament.
It will see the maximum term for causing or allowing the death of a child increased from 14 years to life.
For the offence of causing or allowing serious harm to a child, the penalty increases from 10 to 14 years.
Paula says she is both 'proud and delighted' that the law is in its final stages.
The 53-year-old said: "Tony's Law will give judges the power to hand down the sort of punishments that truly reflect the appalling nature of these crimes and ensure these monsters stay behind bars longer, and possibly for life.
"Sadly, we can't change what happened to our little boy, but Tony's Law will hopefully protect other children in the future, and I cannot tell you how proud and delighted I will be when it is first implemented by a court."
She added: "I've been campaigning for Tony's Law since my son's evil abusers were jailed four years ago.
"Now I will continue in my efforts to have a national register introduced that ensures the movements of such offenders can be tracked in the same way sex offenders are monitored.
"Discussions are ongoing with both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Education and appear very promising."
It was revealed last week that the mum of eight was fighting her own battles, as she posted on Twitter the heart-breaking news that she has been diagnosed with cancer.
Speaking in the commons as the bill entered its final stages, Justice Minister Tom Pursglove praised the 'tireless' efforts of Tony and Paula.
"This change is a great credit to him, to Tony and to his adoptive family for their incredible care and efficacy around these issues, and I think that all of them can be hugely proud of the work they have done to bring about this change."
Tony's law is expected to come into force later this month.
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