Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling Tom Tugendhat yesterday introduced a 10-minute rule bill in parliament, in a bid to give judges the power to impose life sentences.
Currently in child cruelty cases the maximum sentence is 10 years, or 14 years if death is caused.
If successful, the moves would bring sentencing powers more into line with serious assaults on adults.
Tugendhat told MPs: "Why does an individual who commits grievous bodily harm face a maximum of life or more often 16 years in prison, whilst those who commit child cruelty or neglect have a maximum of 10 years?"
Tugendhat has introduced the legislation, which he refers to as "Tony's law", after a baby who suffered life-changing injuries at the hands of his biological parents, when he was 41 days old.
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