Ex-BBC presenter Huw Edwards avoids jail time over indecent images of children

Huw Edwards must complete a 40-day sex offender treatment programme, supplemented by 25 days of rehabilitation as part of his sentence.

By: EasternEye

FORMER BBC Presenter Huw Edwards, who pleaded guilty in July to three charges of making indecent images of children between December 2020 and August 2021, has avoided jail.

Despite facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, Edwards avoided prison and was instead sentenced to a 40-day sex offender treatment program and 25 days of rehabilitation.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Westminster Magistrates’ Court during sentencing that Edwards would have suffered “significant harm” in prison, including the risk of suicide. Edwards, who appeared remorseful, sat in the dock with his hands folded as the court heard details of the case.

The court was told that Edwards had received 41 indecent images of children via WhatsApp from a convicted 25-year-old paedophile, with seven of the images being in the most serious category. Most of the children involved were aged between 13 and 15, with one child aged between seven and nine. Despite the seriousness of the offences, the court decided not to impose an immediate prison sentence.

Edwards was sentenced to a 40-day sex offenders treatment program, along with 25 days of rehabilitation as part of his sentence. Defence lawyer Philip Evans told the court that Edwards accepted the “abhorrent” nature of the images and “deeply regretted” his actions, which “betrayed so many people.”

Edwards could have faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He was first arrested in November last year and charged in June, but the case was not made public until late July, just days before his court appearance.

The Welsh presenter resigned from the BBC in April on ‘medical advice’ after a 40-year career in broadcasting.

The taxpayer funded BBCwhich relies heavily on public trust, has admitted it was notified of the arrest by police and has been criticised for continuing to pay Edwards his salary for six months.

“We are shocked by his crimes,” said one BBC spokesman after the conviction. “He has betrayed not only the BBC but also the public who trusted him.”

Claire Brinton of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said viewing indecent images of children “perpetuates their sexual exploitation, causing deep and long-lasting trauma for victims.”

Edwards, who began anchoring the BBCThe main 10pm news bulletin in 2003 was also known for reporting on major events such as the funeral of the late Queen, the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton and the UK general election.

His professional life began to fall apart in July 2023 when he was suspended by the BBC after allegations in a tabloid that he had paid a young man for explicit images. Although Edwards has not commented on the allegations, his wife released a statement saying he was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and was receiving “in-patient hospital care.”

The police investigation into Edwards was launched after a phone seized during another investigation revealed he was involved in a WhatsApp conversation.

The BBC Board has said Edwards has brought the corporation into “disrepute” and has asked him to pay back his salary since his arrest – a sum of £200,000

(With input from AFP)