The abusive birth mother of Tony Hudgell has been subjected to threats and attacks in her prison cell, it has emerged.

Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith were sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for leaving the little boy so badly injured he needed to have both legs amputated.

Simpson, now 31, was released in February 2023 despite attempts from then Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to stop it.

However, she was then recalled to prison after breaching her licence conditions amid reports she had been having “a relationship with a convicted sex offender”.

A report published today by the Parole Board reveals Simpson has experienced bullying from other prisoners who are aware of the nature of her offences which have caused “various difficulties” for her during her sentence.

The document was in response to an application for Simpson and Smith’s next parole hearings to be heard in public.

The appeal stated that the proceedings should be able to be reported on because of the “life-changing injuries caused to Tony”.

But representations by Simpson’s solicitors state: “A public hearing will affect the quality of evidence given during the parole hearing.

“Ms Simpson will not be able to be as open as possible. At this parole hearing, Ms Simpson should be able to speak openly and honestly about her life, her own mental health, her work in custody including psychotherapy, her time on licence.

“A public hearing will limit her ability to be able to talk in such an open and honest way with the panel and in a way that will flow with the questioning.”

It was also noted that Simpson “continues to receive threats and experience bullying within the prison.”

The report adds: “There is a lot of name calling and verbal threats to harm her. Prior to release she was physically assaulted in her room.

“She is aware there are prisoners who will follow through with their threats and she tries to do all she can to keep herself safe.

“If a public hearing was granted, more people in the prison, and community, would know of her, and this would make any part of the prison unsafe for her, in turn impacting the prison officers’ ability to maintain order in the prison and protect Ms Simpson from attacks.

“Having a public hearing will cause the threats and bullying to escalate. The index offence stirs up strong feelings, and Ms Simpson has genuine fears for her safety.”

The Parole Board judgement refused the public hearing as Simpson’s behaviour in custody “seems to have been good”.

The report also states that she now shows “some remorse for not having done more to protect Tony”, however, she still denies her guilt.

On behalf of the chairman of the parole board, Jeremy Roberts KC said: “It is a tribute to Tony’s resilience and character and to the exemplary care provided by the couple who have adopted him that he is growing up into a fine young man who, despite being unable to do many of the things which he would have liked to do, is making the best of the hand he has been dealt.

“He raised a large sum of money for the NHS during the pandemic. He has received a number of awards for his achievements.”

Young Tony was left with numerous life-threatening and life-changing limb fractures, multiple organ failure and sepsis after violence at the hands of his birth parents when he was just 41 days old.

Now 10, he was forced to have his legs amputated at the knee but has since found happiness with adopted parents Paula and Mark Hudgell, from West Malling.

The family has campaigned for a change in the law surrounding the sentencing of abusers ever since and in 2022, Tony's Law came into force.

It means anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their household can now be given up to life in prison – increased from the previous 14-year maximum.

Smith, who was jailed alongside Simpson, has also "already been reportedly subject to hostility in prison because of the notoriety of the case".

He will also have his next parole board hearing in private.

Paula Hudgell, Tony’s adoptive mum, says the decision to hold the pair’s parole hearings in private is “disappointing to say the least”.

“These hearings need to be heard in public so everything is laid on the table,” The Sun reports.

"They have spent a lot of time considering the vulnerability of Tony's parents but what about Tony and what he has had to go through and what he will have to endure for the rest of his life?

"They also talk about how the abusers will resettle into society, but as Tony's biological mother already proved when she was recalled, she cannot be trusted to be in society.

"This was a chance for the parole board to truly show us they care about the victims of crimes, but they have chosen not to.

"I am not suggesting every detail of their release should be public, but people need to understand the extent of their crimes and the impact they are still having on our son.

"To consider the perpetrator's rights more than the victim and his family is frankly unacceptable."