A boy who was abused and had his legs severed after abuse is the victim of child cruelty will be sentenced to harsher punishments.
Tony’s Law will increase the maximum penalty for causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child from ten to 14 years, while causing the death of a child will rise from 14 years to life.
Tony Hudgell is the name of this park. He’s seven years old. He was both incarcerated for ten year. Following a campaign led by Paula and Mark Hudgell, his adoptive parents, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was amended.
Tony Hudgell, the man for whom this law is named, was born Tony Hudgell. He lost his legs to physical abuse by his parents.
Paula Hudgell, who welcomed the improvements said she needed more to protect vulnerable children. She also stated that the tougher sentencing plans are intended for Tony and “all the babies and children who lost or suffered at the hands their abusers.”
Tony suffered broken toes and fingers when he was just a baby. He also had torn ligaments.
For 10 days, he was untreated.
Tony has been left paralysed from the waist down because of his terrible injury.
He was also sentenced by his parents to the maximum prison term of 10 year.
These harsher sentences will likely mean that someone who allows or causes the death or neglect of vulnerable adults or children in their care could face life imprisonment rather than the 14-year maximum.
Tony’s Law has been updated to increase the child cruelty or allowing severe physical harm penalty from 10 to 14.
A person younger than 16 years old will be punished for cruelty by up to 14 years in prison.
Ms Hudgell released the following statement: “We are thrilled that Tony’s Law has been backed by government.
It was included as an amendment in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, currently under discussion in the Commons and headed by Priti Paitel, Home Secretary.
We have hoped that, since the abusers of our son were imprisoned in 2018, more can be done to safeguard other children.
“I cannot thank the public enough”
Tony continues to walk for charity and helps others.
He set out to raise £500 for the hospital that saved his life by walking 10km in 30 days on his prosthetic legs, but ended up raising more than £1 million.
Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State, said that the law needed to provide maximum protection for the most vulnerable, and that no one is more vulnerable than young children.
He also said: “I am grateful for the courage shown by Tony Hudgell, and his adoptive father Paula and Mark.”