𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Heroic Tony and Paula Hudgell urged Keir Starmer to close a “loophole” so a new Child Cruelty Register “can protect every child from harm”.

Tony and Paula met the Prime Minister in Downing Street on Tuesday as they celebrated the huge success of securing greater protections for children.

But campaigners believe monsters convicted of GBH or ABH after attacking a child would not be put on the register, sparking concern.

Mrs Hudgell told the Daily Express: “This change means everything to our family and to so many others who have fought for better protection for children.

“This is a huge step forward, but we must keep going. I will continue working to close the remaining loophole so this register can protect every child from harm.”

Mrs Hudgell used the Downing Street visit to press Sir Keir to ensure the register is “more comprehensive” and should “include those who are convicted of other violent child cruelty offences”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir is understood to have praised Tony personally for the campaign.

And the pair chatted about football, with the schoolboy a huge Chelsea FC fan.

Tory MP Helen Grant, the Shadow Solicitor General, said: “It cannot be right that those who inflict horrific harm on children can avoid being placed on the register simply because of how their offence is charged.

“That gap should never have existed. We identified it, we campaigned to close it, and I am proud that the Government has now accepted the case we made.

“This register is a vital step forward, but as it stands, it risks leaving a dangerous gap that violent child abusers could exploit.

“Paula Hudgell’s extraordinary campaign has already achieved so much in protecting vulnerable children, and I am proud of the bravery both her and Tony have shown in driving this change.”

Mrs Hudgell, who has championed the Child Cruelty Register, previously told the Daily Express: “I always said that if it only saved one life, then it is absolutely worth everything.

“I honestly believe that this register will save many lives.

“As a mum, I never, ever, want another child to go through what Tony endured and what Tony endures every day.

“We know there are so many cases out there. We’re never going to stop it completely, but hopefully these ones that currently slip through the net, we will now be able to protect them.

“Sex offenders are the most vile people in our community. But those who are just as vile in our community are people that hurt children.”

Tony, who was brutally attacked by his own birth parents, also told this newspaper of Mrs Hudgell: “I’m so proud of her for getting this register.

“Many more people will get the life that they deserve, without having to go through what I had to go through.

“The worst thing is, why would someone do that to a child?”

The new database, which the Daily Express has backed, would copy the Sex Offenders Register, forcing brutes to tell police if they move homes, change their names, get into new relationships, travel abroad or stay in a house for 12 hours or more with children. Certain offenders could even be forced to tell officers about any planned contact with youngsters in a private setting.

The campaign has been championed by Paula Hudgell, whose adopted son Tony was horrifically beaten by his evil birth parents.

Tony was just 41 days old when Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith attacked him, causing multiple fractures and dislocations, and blunt trauma to the face, leading to organ failure, toxic shock and sepsis.

He was left untreated and in agony for 10 days and because of the extent of his injuries both his legs had to be amputated.

Under Mrs Hudgell’s proposals, police will be able to monitor child abusers to prevent them attacking more youngsters.

And the database would be linked to the one used in Clare’s Law, which allows women to check if a partner has a violent history.

This means parents could, for the first time, check if their new partners have a history of abuse towards children.

Crimes covered by the register will include those convicted of causing or allowing the death or serious physical harm of a child. This includes child cruelty, abandonment or neglect; female genital mutilation, and infanticide.

Officials said “these offences are egregious betrayals of a child’s trust and dependency”.

Campaigners are hoping it could be introduced next year.