Tony’s Law 30.11.21
“I pay tribute to the courage of young Tony Hudgell and his adoptive parents Paula and Mark.”
Dominic Raab -Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice.
Today, 30th November 2021 marks a ground-breaking day in Tony’s life. We are delighted to announce that the Government has now officially delivered ‘Tony’s Law’.
Following nearly four years of Tony Hudgell’s adopted parents Paula and Mark campaigning to see longer sentences for child cruelty crimes, Tony’s Law will now deliver:
Maximum punishments to increase for a range of child cruelty offences and under the changes, anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their care will face up to life imprisonment – rather than the current 14-year maximum. The offences of causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child, and cruelty to a person under 16, will also incur tougher maximum penalties – increasing from 10 to 14 years respectively.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab also said:
“The law must provide maximum protection to the most vulnerable and no one is more vulnerable than a young child. So, we are increasing the maximum penalty for child cruelty causing or allowing serious physical harm from 10 years to 14 years, and the maximum penalty for causing or allowing the death of a child from 14 years to life imprisonment.”
Ministers are determined to ensure punishments fit the severity of these horrific crimes and today (30th November 2021) confirmed amendments to deliver ‘Tony’s Law’ would be tabled to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Tony’s Law will increase the maximum penalties for child cruelty offences including:
for causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult from 14 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment;
for causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult from 10 to 14 years’ imprisonment;
for cruelty to a person under 16 from 10 to 14 years’ imprisonment
Paula Hudgell, Tony’s Mum said:
"We are delighted that Tony's Law is being backed by the government. It's been our hope since those who abused our son were jailed in 2018 that more could be done to protect other children, the most vulnerable members of our society. I can't thank the public enough for the support they have shown through this nearly four year campaign, but especially thanks to Tom Tugendhat who has worked tirelessly with me, also my friend Julia Roberts a court reporter and my friends and family it was definitely a team effort”.