Tony Hudgell: Abusive dad released from prison after baby son was forced to have legs amputated

Kimberley Braddish

The Nightly

2 Min Read

3 hours ago

Updated

2 hours ago

The birth father of schoolboy Tony Hudgell, has been released from prison after serving only part of his sentence for the abuse that cost his son both legs. Credit: PA/Alamy

The birth father of Tony Hudgell, the schoolboy whose abuse as a baby led to the amputation of both his legs, has been released from prison.

Anthony Smith, 54, was sentenced to 10 years in 2018 after baby Tony, now aged 10, was found suffering catastrophic injuries at 41 days old.

The shocking case saw Tony’s story capture hearts as he raised over £2 million ($AUD 4.1 million) for the hospital that saved him.

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Tony Hudgell, who uses prosthetic legs, celebrates after taking the final steps in his fundraising walk in West Malling Kent with mum, Paula and dad Mark. Five-year-old Tony has raised more than £1,000,000 for the Evelina London Children's Hospital, who have cared for him since he was four-months-old, by walking every day in June, covering a distance of 10 kilometres. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images) Picture: Gareth Fuller - PA Images — Tony Hudgell, who uses prosthetic legs, celebrates after taking the final steps in his fundraising walk in West Malling Kent with mum, Paula and dad Mark. Five-year-old Tony has raised more than £1,000,000 for the Evelina London Children's Hospital, who have cared for him since he was four-months-old, by walking every day in June, covering a distance of 10 kilometres. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images) Gareth Fuller - PA Images Credit: Gareth Fuller - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Smith was freed on Tuesday after being granted parole on June 19 and is now subject to strict conditions, including GPS monitoring and having to remain at a designated address. Breaking these rules would see him returned to prison.

This comes just two months after Tony’s birth mother, Jody Simpson, was also released, both having served only part of their original sentences.

the abusive father of heroic Tony Hudgell, Anthony Smith, who suffered severe maltreatment as an infant resulting in the amputation of both legs, will be released from prison later this week. Anthony Smith, sentenced to ten years in jail in 2018, was granted parole on June 19. The 54-year-old will be released tomorrow on terms that include wearing a GPS monitor and remaining at a designated location. Picture: Unknown — the abusive father of heroic Tony Hudgell, Anthony Smith, who suffered severe maltreatment as an infant resulting in the amputation of both legs, will be released from prison later this week. Anthony Smith, sentenced to ten years in jail in 2018, was granted parole on June 19. The 54-year-old will be released tomorrow on terms that include wearing a GPS monitor and remaining at a designated location. Unknown Credit: Unknown/X

Tony’s adoptive mum, Paula Hudgell, 57, expressed: “I knew this day would come and that he would eventually be released from prison – but it is still hard to take. The only good thing is that he will be heavily monitored for the next two years. But I worry what will happen after that,” she said.

“I have seen no evidence that Smith has any remorse for what he’s done - or even any understanding of the effect he’s had on Tony’s life.

“Tony will be living with his injuries for the rest of his life, they will never go away, because of what Smith and his former partner did to their baby.

“Smith is a danger to children and, if he doesn’t get recalled in the next two years for breaching his licence, he will be free to do as he pleases. This system is clearly broken - we need something to stop child abusers from acting in this way again.”

Smith and Simpson, 34, were convicted of causing or allowing their child to sustain an injury, and of neglect for failing to get help.

Doctors discovered Tony had suffered multiple fractures and severe trauma, injuries for which his parents eventually sought no immediate help.

The child’s birth mother was released this June after serving around six years.

Simpson was first released from prison on licence in February 2023, after serving only five years of her sentence. Less than a year later, in May 2024, she was recalled to prison for breaching her conditions by starting a relationship with a sex offender.

She was due to be automatically re-released earlier this year, but Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stepped in, forcing Simpson to face a parole hearing on May 19.

The cruel parent has now been released, with strict licence conditions controlling her actions over the next couple of years. She must report any new relationships to her probation officer, undergo regular drug testing, and will be GPS tagged.

At the time, Paula, Tony’s adoptive mother said: “It just feels very unfair that Simpson is now free to live her life and Tony is still dealing with the consequences of her actions and will be for life”.

“I appreciate there is a prison overcrowding crisis and that the Parole Board has placed strict conditions on her, but it does not feel like enough.

“After her licence expires in two years’ time she will be completely free to do whatever she wants—including getting in a situation where she could cause harm to more children.”

A Probation Service 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.”