Evil dad who beat baby so badly he had both legs amputated loses prison release appeal
An evil dad who tortured his week- old son so badly he had to have his legs amputated has had his prison release bid blocked by Justice Secretary Dominic Raab under fresh laws to keep dangerous criminals behind bars.
Anthony Smith was jailed for 10 years in 2018 for inflicting appalling injuries on his newborn son Tony Hudgell.
But having served half his sentence he was due to be re-introduced to society this week, until Raab stepped in and used new powers in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act to block his automatic release.
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It comes a fortnight after he halted the release of Tony’s birth mother Jody Simpson, who was jailed for 10 years.
(Image: PA)
The pair must now convince parole chiefs they no longer pose a risk before being freed.
Tony’s adoptive mum Paula Hudgell was told the news by her victim liaison officer.
She told the Sunday People : “As we hoped, Mr Raab blocked Smith’s release on the grounds that he too, like Simpson, is still considered a risk to society.
“I was also told there is still no date for Simpson’s parole board hearing and it is unlikely to be any time soon so I imagine it will be the same for Smith – any extra time behind bars is justice.”
Simpson and Smith tortured Tony in 2014 when he was just a few weeks old.
Tony was just five weeks old when he was admitted to hospital with with multiple bone fractures consistent with being swung by his legs, organ failure and sepsis.
(Image: Kent Police)
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They delayed seeking medical treatment for 10 days so by the time the youngster was finally seen by doctors, his injuries were so bad he later had to have both legs amputated at the knee.
Tony, now seven and a Mirror Pride of Britain winner, is also deaf in one ear and has hip, hand, wrist and jaw damage.
Simpson and Smith were 24 and 47 when they were convicted of causing or allowing physical harm to a child, and child cruelty.
Mr Raab said: “The first duty of government is to protect the most vulnerable. I will do everything in my power to prevent another child enduring the abuse inflicted on Tony.
“That’s why I’ve put Anthony Smith’s release on hold.”
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