The adoptive mum of a toddler left at death’s door following the devastating injuries inflicted on him by his birth parents has called on tougher prison sentences for child cruelty.

Paula Hudgell’s three-year-old son Tony was a newborn when his legs were broken by Jody Simpson and Antony Smith at their dishevelled Maidstone flat.

At just 41 days old the youngster was admitted to hospital and was at death’s door when infections took hold and threatened to kill him.

In February Simpson and Smith were sentenced to 10 years in prison by a crown court judge but Mrs Hudgell, from Kings Hill, has launched a petition in a bid to have the maximum term increased.

So far it has amassed 532 signatures and will be handed over to Home Secretary Sajid Javid when it reaches its target of 1,000.

Mrs Hudgell said: “They were sentenced to the maximum of 10 years for causing or allowing serious harm to a child and five years for child neglect to run concurrent.

“If baby Tony had died the maximum would have been increased to 14 years.

“The reason for this petition is not to change the sentence already given but for Parliament to raise the threshold of maximum sentences for future cases.

“These children need more protection and justice for them. Sadly too many are just a statistic and fall through the net and who will fight for them?

“I believe baby Tony is here for a reason, he fought so hard for those first few months of his life and now we all need to fight to change the outcomes of other cases.”

To sign the petition visit this site.

Following the trial and conviction of Tony’s biological parents, the Kent Messenger started a fundraising campaign to help improve his future and provide his family with funds.

In total £7,665 was raised and is set to be handed over to help pay for a garden with Astroturf where Tony can continue improving as a keen tennis player and footballer.