Adoptive mum 'so proud' of child safety register

The adoptive mum of an 11-year-old boy, who had both legs amputated after being assaulted by his birth parents, said she was "overwhelmed with pride and gratitude" after a new child cruelty register became law this week.

Parents guilty of neglect will face similar monitoring to sex offenders after an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill received Royal Assent on 29 April.

It follows a campaign by Tony Hudgell and his adoptive mum Paula, from West Malling in Kent, to see more protection for children.

"Knowing that Tony's story helped close this dangerous safeguarding gap means more than I can ever express and it will forever be part of his legacy," said Paula.

Tony's birth parents were jailed for 10 years in 2018 for inflicting the injuries that led to his double amputation.

He went on to co-found the Tony Hudgell Foundation and helped raise more than £1.7m for charity during the Covid pandemic.

The family also saw the introduction of Tony's Law, which strengthened sentencing for those who cause or allow serious harm to children.

In 2023, Tony, the aged nine, was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse.

Paul told the BBC: "I'm overwhelmed with pride and gratitude that the child cruelty register has received Royal Assent and now become law - a historic change that will protect children for generations."

Crimes covered by the register will include those convicted of causing or allowing the death or serious physical harm of a child.

It includes child neglect, child cruelty, abandonment, female genital mutilation and infanticide.

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