An evil biological father who beat his son so badly he had to have both legs amputated has walked free from jail. Anthony Smith, 54, was released from jail on Tuesday, September 9, after being handed a 10-year sentence in 2018.
His son Tony Hudgell, who is now 10, was found in a critical condition after suffering awful injuries as a 41-days-old baby. Tony, from West Malling in Kent, needed specialist and life-saving treatment after being assaulted by Smith. The attack meant both his legs had to be amutated but he has since become the youngest ever recipient of the British Empire Medal for raising a huge £1.8 million for charity.
As reported by The Sun, his evil dad has now been let out of jail after being granted parole. He is now subject to strict conditions, including wearing a GPS and staying in an agreed location.
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’s release comes just over two months after Tony’s birth mum, 34-year-old Jody Simpson, was freed from jail. The pair were convicted of causing or allowing a child to sustain an injury and neglect by failing to seek immediate medical attention.
Tony was found with multiple catastrophic injuries while both his parents failed to get him help. Simpson served only six years of her sentence and, like Smith, will face no conditions on her freedom after spending two years on license.
The evil mother was initially released in February 2023 but breached the terms of her license. She was recalled to prison after starting a relationship with a sex offender, and will now have to report any relationships to her probation officer, get regularly drug tested and will be GPS tagged.
Paula said at the time: “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.”