The government has introduced increased maximum penalties for a range of child cruelty offences.

Under the amendment, 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.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said: “The law must provide maximum protection to the most vulnerable and no-one is more vulnerable than a young child.

“So, we are increasing the maximum penalty for child cruelty causing or allowing serious physical harm from 10 years to 14 years, and the maximum penalty for causing or allowing the death of a child from 14 years to life imprisonment,” he added.

The government have pledged to table ‘Tony’s Law’ to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

It follows the tireless campaigning of the family of Tony Hudgell to see longer sentences for these crimes after Tony was left severely disabled after suffering abuse while he was a baby at the hands of his birth parents, who both received 10 years in prison. 

Mr Raab paid tribute to the courage of Tony and his adoptive parents Paula and Mark.

Paula Hudgell Tony’s mum said: “We are delighted that Tony’s Law is being backed by the government. It’s been our hope since those who abused our son were jailed in 2018 that more could be done to protect other children, the most vulnerable members of our society.

“I can’t thank the public enough for the support they have shown through this nearly four year campaign, but especially thanks to Tom Tugendhat who has worked tirelessly with me, also my friend Julia Roberts a court reporter and my friends and family it was definitely a team effort.

“This is for Tony and all the babies and children that suffered or lost their lives at the hands of their abusers,” she added.

Tony’s Law will increase the maximum penalties for child cruelty offences including:

• For causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult from 14 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment
  
• For causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult from 10 to 14 years’ imprisonment
  
• For cruelty to a person under 16 from 10 to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Ministers also 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.