The evil mother who abused little Tony Hudgell so badly that he lost his legs is to be freed early from prison, just seven years after being locked up for carrying out the sick torture.
Jody Simpson, 31, was jailed in 2018 for 10 years alongside Tony’s birth father Anthony Smith after they were both convicted of child cruelty offences.
Tony suffered from broken fingers and toes, torn ligaments and contracted sepsis after his birth parents carried out the depraved abuse when he was just six-weeks-old.
They left him to suffer in agonising pain for ten days before taking him to hospital.
He was on the verge of death when medics first saw him, and due to the extreme level of abuse he suffered, both of his legs needed to be amputated in 2017.
But the Parole Board has agreed to release the monster mother from prison, The Mirror reported, after she had ‘engaged with art psychotherapy…and victim awareness work’.
Tony’s adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, criticised the decision and warned Simpson ‘remains a serious risk to children’.
Simpson was released in February 2024 but was recalled to prison in June last year following ‘a relationship with a convicted sex offender’.
Evil mother Jody Simpson, 31, who abused little Tony Hudgell so badly that he lost his legs is to be freed early from prison
Tony suffered from broken fingers and toes, torn ligaments and contracted sepsis after his birth parents carried out the depraved abuse when he was just six-weeks-old
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat has posted his support to Tony ‘as he faces the early release of his abuser’.
The board had in March rejected an application for the hearing to be held in public.
They told the BBC their decisions are ‘solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community’.
Mrs Hudgell wrote in a post on social media: ‘After serving just two years on licence, she will be legally free to live as she chooses. This includes being around children—and even having another child.
‘This situation underscores the urgent need for a national child cruelty register—a system to ensure that individuals with a history of harming children are monitored, restricted, and prevented from reoffending.
‘Our children deserve protection. A register would not only help safeguard vulnerable young lives, but also bring peace of mind to communities across the country.
‘It’s time we put children’s safety first.’
Tony has previously been hailed a hero by Prince William and wife Kate over his extraordinary fundraising walks to help vulnerable children.
Tony’s adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, criticised the decision and warned Simpson ‘remains a serious risk to children’
Mrs Hudgell wrote in a post on social media: ‘After serving just two years on licence, she will be legally free to live as she chooses. This includes being around children—and even having another child’
Prince William meets Tony Hudgell during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace — May 20, 2025
Princess Kate Middleton pictured with Tony at the Day Centre at the Westminster Hospital
He has won a Pride of Britain award for raising £1.7million for the hospital which started treating him and has also received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child cruelty
Queen Camilla with Tony Hudgell and Lyla O’Donovan from Catterick, during a private tea party in the gardens at Buckingham Palace — June 2024
Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire is pictured meeting with Tony in hospital
In addition to raising the impressive sum, the youngster also inspired an English law change, known as ‘Tony’s Law’, enacted in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
He has won a Pride of Britain award for raising £1.7million for the hospital which started treating him and has also received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child cruelty.
In addition to raising the impressive sum, the youngster also inspired an English law change, known as ‘Tony’s Law’, enacted in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Tony’s Law calls for increased prison sentences for those convicted of child cruelty and neglect.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: ‘This was a horrific crime that saw Tony Hudgell mercilessly tortured by his birth parents and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones.
‘Now that the independent parole board has directed her release, Jody Simpson will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules.’
