A child cruelty register is a step closer thanks to the campaigning adoptive mum of abuse victim Tony Hudgell.
Paula Hudgell held “positive talks” in Whitehall as she pushes for checks on monsters like the ones who left Tony disabled.
The lad, seven, had both legs amputated at the knee after horrific abuse inflicted when he was six weeks old.
His parents were jailed and, five days ago, Tony’s Law came in, allowing judges to impose longer sentences.
But Paula, 53, says: “It is brilliant to know Tony’s Law is finally in place but it’s just the first part of the fight for me.
“I fought for Tony’s Law, I’m battling bowel cancer, and now I’m stepping up the fight for a child cruelty register.
“If anything, the cancer made me more determined. I’ve had two rounds of chemo, with six to go, but any side-effects have been minimal and I’m still raring to go.”
Paula is speaking after the mum, stepdad and stepbrother of abused Welsh lad Logan Mwangi, five, were jailed for his killing.
She adds: “Logan’s brutal death at the hands of these monsters is wicked beyond belief and another reason why so much more needs to be done to protect children.
“It makes me cry and shake with anger knowing not only of the horrendous fear, pain and suffering he endured but also of the missed opportunities to save him from such systematic abuse.
"I can’t turn back the clock for Tony or Logan, but I can do everything possible to protect children in the future.”
Paula met with Will Quince, under-secretary of state for children and families, plus representatives from the Home Office and child safeguarding review panel.
She was given assurances that a register of offenders will be considered as part of plans to tackle domestic abuse.
Paula adds: “It was promising but it took four years to get Tony’s Law so I know there is a long way to go yet.”
Paula started campaigning after her son’s parents Jody Simpson, 29, and Tony Smith, 52, were jailed for 10 years each.
Under Tony’s Law they could have got 14 years – while those convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child now face life, up from 14 years.
Tony was adopted by Paula and husband Mark, 57, after suffering his life-changing injuries.
He lives in West Malling, Kent, and became a Mirror Pride of Britain winner after walking 30km on his first pair of prosthetic legs in 2020 – raising £1.7million for Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
The Home Office said: “The Government is determined to ensure the law offers the fullest possible protection to children.
"We continue to engage with brave families, like Tony’s, to prevent child cruelty.”
