Evil dad who abused baby Tony Hudgell so badly he had legs amputated freed

The abusive father of schoolboy hero Tony Hudgell, 10, walked free from prison yesterday - just weeks after the boy's mother was also released.

Anthony Smith, 54, was jailed for 10 years in 2018 after baby Tony was left fighting for life with devastating injuries that led to both his legs being amputated. Smith was granted parole on June 19 and released on Tuesday. He will remain under strict conditions, including wearing a GPS tag and staying in an agreed location. Any breach will see him hauled back to jail. Tony, now 10, went on to become the youngest ever recipient of the British Empire Medal for his tireless fundraising, but continues to live with the consequences of his parents' cruelty.

READ MORE: Amputee Tony Hudgell has surgery to help him walk after sick abuse from parents

READ MORE: Mum who abused six-week-old son so badly he lost both legs is freed from prison early

Speaking about Smith's release, Tony's adoptive mum, Paula Hudgell, 57, said: "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. 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 Tony's birth mum, Jody Simpson, 34, were both convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect by failing to seek immediate medical attention.

Simpson was freed in June after serving around six years of her 10-year sentence. She had first been released on licence in February 2023 after just five years inside, but was recalled in May 2024 when she began a relationship with a sex offender - breaching her conditions.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood blocked her automatic release earlier this year, forcing her to face a parole hearing on May 19. She was freed shortly afterwards under strict licence rules, including GPS tagging, drug tests and a requirement to declare any new relationships to her probation officer.

At the time, Paula 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 license 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.

"Now that the independent Parole Board has directed his release, Anthony Smith will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. He faces an immediate return to prison if he breaks the rules."