Boy, 11, wins campaign for new UK child cruelty register

An 11-year-old boy who had both legs amputated after being assaulted by his birth parents has won his campaign for a new child safety register.

Parents guilty of neglect will face similar monitoring to sex offenders following an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which the government said it expects to table "shortly".

The announcement follows a campaign by Tony Hudgell and his adoptive mum Paula, from West Malling in Kent.

Tony, who received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse, told the BBC he was "so happy it's finally happening and that children will be more protected".

Paula said: "This is a victory for Tony - and for every child who deserves to be safe, protected and heard.

"It shows that with persistence, courage, and a united team, real change is possible.

"After eight years of campaigning, I am incredibly proud that the child cruelty register is finally becoming a reality.

"This register is a vital step forward in protecting vulnerable children, ensuring that adults who harm or neglect children cannot simply move on unnoticed."

Thanking everyone who has supported the campaign, including Helen Grant MP, she added: "This journey has been emotional, challenging, and at times overwhelming, but it has never been just my fight."

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 in the pandemic.

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

"Now, with the child cruelty register, we are building on that progress, giving safeguarding teams the tools and visibility they need to prevent further abuse," said Paula.

"We can't really believe we did it!"

The register would cover child neglect, child cruelty, abandonment, female genital mutilation (FGM) and infanticide.

Those on it would have to tell police if they move house, change their identity, travel abroad or live with children again after serving their sentence.

Sentencing minister Jake Richards paid tribute to Paula Hudgell for her "remarkable fight to ensure no child should go through the life-altering abuse that her son Tony did".

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