Child abusers will face more time behind bars after the Government confirmed plans to increase the maximum penalties for a range of cruelty offences
Under the changes, anyone who causes or allows the death of a child or vulnerable adult in their care will face up to life imprisonment – rather than the current 14-year maximum. The offences of causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child, and cruelty to a person under 16, will also incur tougher maximum penalties – increasing from 10 to 14 years respectively.
It follows the tireless campaigning of the family of Tony Hudgell to see longer sentences for these crimes. As a baby, Tony was left severely disabled after suffering abuse at the hands of his birth parents, who both received 10 years in prison. Ministers are determined to ensure punishments fit the severity of these horrific crimes and today confirmed amendments to deliver ‘Tony’s Law’ would be tabled to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said:
Paula Hudgell Tony’s mum said:
Tony’s Law will increase the maximum penalties for child cruelty offences including:
Meanwhile, following an announcement last week, Ministers have today confirmed that plans to extend mandatory life sentences to anyone who kills an emergency worker whilst committing a crime would also be made via an amendment to the PCSC Bill. The move builds on recent government action to protect police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics and ensure those who seek to harm them feel the full force of the law. This includes plans to double the maximum penalty for assaulting them to two years’ imprisonment.
Notes to Editors