The cruel birth mother who abused Tony Hudgell is back in jail after allegedly “having a relationship with a sex offender”
Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for leaving the little boy so badly injured he needed to have both legs amputated.
Simpson, 30, was released last February despite attempts from then Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to stop it.
However, it has been revealed she has been recalled to prison after breaching her licence conditions.
An HM Prison and Probation Service spokesperson said: “Offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and we do not hesitate to recall them to custody if they break the rules.”
The Sun has since reported she is back inside for having “a relationship with a convicted sex offender” but that has not been confirmed.
It is understood Tony’s adoptive mum Paula Hudgell, from West Malling, was told last week Simpson had been sent back to jail.
Speaking to KentOnline, she said: “We always knew it was a risk to release her and it looks like we were right, as was the then Justice Secretary Dominic Raab who used new legislation to keep her locked up beyond her automatic release date halfway into her 10-year sentence.
“It was then the parole board’s decision to free her so hopefully now she has been recalled it will stop any further parole release until she has served the full 10-year sentence.
“What her shocking behaviour has proved is that she cannot be trusted and so, more than ever, a register is needed similar to that for sex offenders which keep track of all those convicted of child cruelty offences even after any licence period has expired.
“In just a few years, Simpson’s licence period will run out, and there is nothing we can do about it.
“But what we can do is carry on the campaign for a child cruelty register that ensures the authorities can monitor the movements of known abusers and in doing so protect our most vulnerable members of society from the likes of her.”
Tony Hudgell was left with numerous life-threatening and life-changing limb fractures, multiple organ failure and sepsis after violence at the hands of his birth parents when he was just 41 days old.
Now nine, he was forced to have his legs amputated at the knee but has since found happiness with adopted parents Paula and Mark Hudgell.
The family has campaigned for a change in the law surrounding the sentencing of abusers ever since and in 2022, Tony’s Law came into force.
It means anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their household can now be given up to life in prison – increased from the previous 14-year maximum.