Child abusers now face life sentences under law change

Child abusers can now be handed life sentences in England and Wales as the law changes.

This move to tougher sentencing comes as part of the Police, Crime and Sentencing Act 2022, which came into effect today.

Previously the maximum sentence for causing or allowing a child’s death was 14 years, but this has risen to life, partly thanks to the adoptive mother of Tony Hudgell.

Tony Hudgell Foundation

She has long campaigned for Tony’s Law, after the seven-year-old was attacked by his birth parents when he was a baby.

Tragically he was left with life-changing injuries, including multiple fractures, deafness in one ear and both his legs amputated, while his abusers were sentenced to just 10 years in prison in February 2018.

Paula Hudgell said: “It feels quite surreal. We knew it was coming but for it to actually be here is absolutely wonderful.”

Ms Hudgell went on to say that it had been ‘a very long four years fighting for this campaign’, before adding that it will ‘make such a difference to the sentencing powers for the judges from now on’.

Greater Manchester Police / Facebook

The maximum sentence for anyone who causes serious harm to a child has also risen from 10 to 14 years.

And that’s not the only law change coming as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, as dangerous drivers who kill will face life sentences from today.

Previously the penalty for dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs was fourteen years.

However, thanks to the law change, judges will now be able to increase this to life sentences, with the new legislation also creating an offence of causing serious injury by careless driving – meaning those who inflict long-term or permanent injuries will also face tougher sentences.