The father of 10-year-old Tony Hudgell, a heroic schoolboy, was released from prison recently, shortly after his mother’s release. Anthony Smith, 54, had been sentenced to 10 years in 2018 for causing severe injuries to baby Tony, resulting in the amputation of both his legs. Smith was granted parole on June 19 and was freed on Tuesday, under strict conditions such as wearing a GPS tag and staying at a designated location.
Tony, now 10 years old, received the British Empire Medal for his exceptional fundraising efforts but continues to bear the lifelong impact of his parents’ abuse. Paula Hudgell, Tony’s adoptive mother, expressed concern over Smith’s lack of remorse and the potential risk he poses to children once his monitoring period ends.
Both Smith and Tony’s birth mother, Jody Simpson, were convicted of neglecting Tony’s injuries. Simpson was released in June after serving part of her 10-year sentence, facing strict parole conditions. Paula highlighted the ongoing challenges Tony faces due to his birth parents’ actions.
Despite the tragic situation, the Probation Service emphasized the severity of the crimes committed against Tony and the strict supervision Smith will face post-release to prevent any rule violations that could lead to his return to prison.