A woman convicted in one of the UK’s most disturbing child cruelty cases has been released from prison after serving just over six years of a ten-year sentence.
Jody Simpson, now 33, was jailed in 2018 alongside her then-partner Anthony Smith for causing serious harm to their infant son, Tony Hudgell. The injuries he suffered as a baby were so severe that both of his legs had to be amputated. Despite the lasting damage caused, Simpson has now walked free under licence, prompting widespread concern from campaigners and the public.
Released Under Strict Licence Conditions
Simpson, who served time for causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child, was first released on licence in 2023. However, she was recalled to custody in 2024 after breaching her licence terms by beginning a relationship with someone on the sex offenders register. Following a parole hearing in May this year, she has once again been released – this time under tighter conditions, including GPS monitoring and regular drug testing.
She will be required to report any new relationships to her probation officer and will remain under supervision for the next two years. After that, however, she will no longer face any formal restrictions on her freedom.
Ongoing Impact on Her Victim
Tony, now 10 years old, has become a symbol of resilience, raising money for charity and earning the British Empire Medal for his efforts. But the damage inflicted on him in infancy continues to affect his daily life.
His adoptive mother, Paula Hudgell, has been a vocal campaigner for tougher monitoring of those convicted of crimes against children. Speaking out following Simpson’s release, 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.”
She added: “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, she’ll be completely free. That’s why I’m calling for a national Child Cruelty Register – so people like Simpson can be monitored for life.”
A Call for Change
Paula’s campaign seeks to mirror the approach used to track sex offenders, ensuring that those convicted of serious harm against children are flagged and supervised beyond their custodial sentence. Support for such a register has grown in light of cases like Tony’s, where the long-term impact of early abuse is undeniable.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice said: “This was a horrific case and our thoughts remain with Tony and his family. Jody Simpson’s release was directed by the Independent Parole Board. She is now subject to strict licence conditions and will be returned to prison immediately if she breaches them.”
Simpson and Smith were originally convicted after failing to seek medical help for baby Tony, despite him suffering multiple serious injuries. The delay in getting him treatment led to life-changing consequences. Smith remains in custody.
