Tony’s Law: What is it, and how did it come into effect?

The maximum sentence for child abusers was increased from 14 years to life imprisonment following a four year campaign by a Kent family.

The legislation, dubbed Tony’s Law, forms part of the Police, Crime and Sentencing Act 2022, and came into effect in June, two months after receiving royal assent.

Here is everything you need to know about Tony’s Law and how it came into effect:

What is Tony’s Law?

Tougher sentencing powers have been introduced for child abusers in England and Wales, who could now face life in jail.

The legislation was named after seven-year-old Tony Hudgell, who had both legs amputated in 2017 as a result of abuse suffered at the hands of his birth parents.

Jody Simpson and Tony Smith, Tony’s biological parents, were convicted of assaulting, ill treating and neglecting Tony, and in 2018 they were sentenced to the then maximum jail term of 10 years.

Tony suffered from torn ligaments, broken fingers and contracted sepsis as a result of the torture he endured, and he was even left deaf in one ear.

He was on the verge of dying before doctors at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital saved his life.

In June 2020, the then five-year-old Tony raised more than £1 million for the hospital by walking 10km throughout the month while learning to walk on prosthetic legs.

Tony’s mum Paula said that the fundraising effort helped raise their profile for the law change.

However, Tony’s biological parents are now set to be released from prison early, having only served half of the ten year sentence handed to them in 2018.

How did Tony’s Law come into effect?

Since 2018, Tony’s adopted parents, Paula and Mark Hudgell from Kings Hill, have fought tirelessly for tougher penalties for child cruelty.

Paula Hudgell said: “We realised the sentences really weren’t strong enough to fit the crimes, so I got on to my MP and we worked side-by-side and managed after a long time to actually get this through.”

In 2021, ministers unveiled tougher sentencing plans for child abuse, which came into force in June, with Justice Secretary Dominic Raab saying the legislation would provide maximum protection to the most vulnerable.

At the time of the announcement, Ms Hudgell said: “I’m absolutely over the moon that today the law is actually in force.

“It’s taken us four years to get this far, but actually it was worth every step.”

She described the new sentencing powers as a major step forward, but says she is also now campaigning for a child cruelty register, similar to the sex offenders register.

She said: “Once these perpetrators come out of prison and they finish their license, they are free to do whatever they want, but there is still a risk to any child around.

“Your neighbour could be someone that could cause serious harm to a child, and you would allow them to babysit without truly knowing their background.”

Following the announcement that Tony’s birth parents will be released from prison years ahead of schedule, she added that it makes her feel sick to know that those who abuse babies and children are walking free in a few years.

She told The Mirror: ‘These monsters have spent just five years behind bars while Tony faces a lifetime of challenges as a result of their wickedness.

‘They don’t go before the parole board or have to show any remorse to walk free.”

She went on to say that Tony is angry his parents are going to be released from prison, and he aspires to become a police officer when he is older so he can re-arrest them.