The Parole Board today confirmed Jody Simpson, now 31, could be freed from prison – seven years after she was jailed for inflicting horrifying injuries on little Tony Hudgell when he was six-weeks old
The vile mum who abused little Tony Hudgell so severely he lost his legs is to be freed from prison, it emerged today.
The Parole Board ruled Jody Simpson, now 31, who caused Tony near-fatal injuries when he was just six weeks old, can be released. The board said her imprisonment was “no longer necessary for the protection of the public” after she had engaged with rehabilitation schemes in jail. Simpson and her partner Tony Smith, 54, birth parents to Tony, were sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018 after inflicting multiple fractures, dislocations and blunt trauma to Tony’s face.
The boy was left untreated and in agony for 10 days. In recent years, Tony, who was adopted by Mark and Paula Hudgell, has raised £1.8 million for charity, most of which came during the Covid pandemic, when he walked 10km (6.2 miles) on his prosthetic legs.
Simpson was initially let out in February this year at an automatic release point but was sent back to jail in May, after breaking her licence conditions by having “a relationship with a convicted sex offender”. But the Parole Board has now said she has “engaged with art psychotherapy…and victim awareness work.” It said her behaviour in prison had been “without issue”.
On X today, Mrs Hudgell, 57, from West Malling, Kent, said: “Tony has lifelong injuries every day he suffered due to her hands. Two years on license, then she will be free completely to hurt another child or conceal a pregnancy again. The justice system is so wrong.”
A Parole Board spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing. Parole Board 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.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
“Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
Little Tony was a guest of honour at a Buckingham Palace garden party last month where he met Prince William. He has been recognised for his extraordinary fundraising efforts. In 2020, aged just 5, Tony Hudgell decided to try and raise £509 for the Evelina Children’s Hospital by walking 10km on his prosthetic legs. In total, he raised an amazing £1.8 million for the hospital which saved his life.
In a previous ruling, Jeremy Roberts KC from the Parole Board recognised Tony’s immense strength. He said: “It is a tribute to Tony’s resilience and character and to the exemplary care provided by the couple who have adopted him that he is growing up into a fine young man who, despite being unable to do many of the things which he would have liked to do, is making the best of the hand he has been dealt.
“He raised a large sum of money for the NHS during the pandemic. He has received a number of awards for his achievements (the British Empire Medal, a Pride of Britain award and the Order of the British Empire). He was watched by millions of people within the United Kingdom and beyond when he received the Pride of Britain Award and he was personally invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
“Tony and his adoptive parents have campaigned successfully for ‘Tony’s Law’ to increase the sentences available to judges in cases of this kind. The maximum sentence for causing or allowing injury to a child has now been increased from 10 years (the maximum which could be imposed in this case) to 14 years; and if the injury results in death a sentence of life imprisonment is now available.”
Simpson’s partner Smith, was denied parole in 2023. He is due another hearing, which will be held in private.