The father of Tony Hudgell, a 10-year-old boy hailed as a hero, was released from prison recently, following the release of the boy’s mother. Anthony Smith, aged 54, had been sentenced to 10 years in 2018 after Tony sustained severe injuries as a baby, resulting in the amputation of both his legs. Smith was granted parole on June 19 and was released with strict conditions, including wearing a GPS tag and residing in a specified location.
If Smith violates any of these conditions, he will be sent back to prison. Despite Tony’s remarkable resilience and philanthropic efforts that earned him the British Empire Medal, he continues to bear the physical and emotional scars inflicted by his parents’ cruelty.
Paula Hudgell, Tony’s adoptive mother, expressed her concerns about Smith’s release, emphasizing the lack of remorse or understanding displayed by Smith regarding the impact of his actions on Tony’s life. Both Smith and Tony’s birth mother, Jody Simpson, were convicted of causing harm to a child and neglecting to seek immediate medical attention.
Simpson, who had served approximately six years of her 10-year sentence, was released in June but faced setbacks due to breaching her parole conditions by engaging in a relationship with a sex offender. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood intervened, delaying Simpson’s release until a parole hearing in May. Despite the imposed restrictions, including GPS monitoring and regular drug tests, concerns remain about the potential risks posed by Simpson upon the expiration of her license.
The Probation Service acknowledged the severity of the crime committed against Tony, ensuring that Smith will be closely supervised under strict conditions post-release. Any violation of these conditions will result in immediate imprisonment.
