The birth mother of Tony Hudgell who injured him to the point where his legs had to be amputated is to be released from prison. The youngster has worn prosthetics on his lower legs since he was a toddler after being abused by his birth parents, Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson.

Smith and Simpson were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018. The pair had denied assaulting, ill-treating or neglecting their son. A spokesperson for the Parole Board confirmed on Wednesday (June 4) that a panel had directed Simpson be released after an oral hearing.

Tony was adopted by Paula and Mark Hudgell and has raised millions of pounds for charity, winning support from Kate, Princess of Wales, who he has met. In 2024, he was honoured with a British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse. The youngster is also a Pride of Britain award winner.

Mrs Hudgell, responding to the decision to release Simpson, posted on Instagram: “As predicted, Simpson is set to be released from prison following her parole hearing… after serving just two years on licence, she will be legally free to live as she chooses.”

She added: “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.”

The Parole Board spokesperson said decisions were solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

They added: “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.”

The decision comes after the Hudgells’ MP, Helen Grant, wrote to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood in May calling for clarification on the early release of child abusers under a sentencing review.

Ms Grant said anyone convicted of killing a child, allowing them to be harmed or of child cruelty should be excluded from early release.

Tony’s charity efforts were first inspired by Captain Tom Moore’s fundraising walk in 2020. Aged just five, Tony walked 10km on his prosthetic legs in June 2020, raising £1.8million for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital where he received treatment after the terrible injuries inflicted by Simpson and Smith.

On top of raising the amazing sum, Tony also inspired a change to English law, known as “Tony’s Law”. It was enacted in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

“Tony’s Law” calls for increased prison sentences for people convicted of child cruelty and neglect.