Raab’s s p ecial call to brave Ton y ’s mum
‘Release of child abuser blocked’
IT was the phone call Paula Hudgell had been dreading.
She was expecting to be told that the woman who horrifically abused her adoptive son Tony was about to be released from jail.
But, incredibly, she received a personal call from Justice Secretary Dominic Raab instead, telling her he had blocked the release of evil Jody Simpson.
The 24-year-old was expected to be automatically freed having served half of her 10-year jail term. Mr Raab also said a similar challenge would be made in respect of her boyfriend, 47-year-old Anthony Smith’s 10-year sentence.
The pair inflicted such terrible abuse on their biological son Tony when he was just six weeks old that he later needed a double amputation.
Mum-of-eight Paula – who fostered, then adopted Tony with husband Mark – was thrilled to get the call.
Speaking from the family home in West
Malling, Kent, she said: “I could only hope it was good news, but never expected what he did then tell me.”
Mr Raab said he had been able to challenge Simpson’s release under the same act that brought in Tony’s Law, which was created after the lad’s case.
Paula, 54, said: “Mr Raab said he had put together a really robust case for the Parole Board to consider. Those two monsters left my son at death’s door... they delayed seeking help for 10 days so any delay of their release is justice in my eyes.”
Just two days before Mr Raab’s call, Tony, seven, and his family met Boris Johnson at a special reception in Downing Street where the lad was praised for raising £1.7million for Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Paula had expected to hear about Simpson’s release, but said Tony was “really happy” to learn she would be staying in jail.