Former broadcaster convicted of possessing offensive images of children

Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards was today (Monday 16 September 2024) convicted of possessing indecent images of children.

Edwards, 63, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children.

An investigation by South Wales Police into another adult male, who has since been convicted of similar offences, found he had been in contact with Edwards via social media.

WhatsApp chat between the man and Edwards was sexual in nature and also showed Edwards giving him gifts and money. The chat contained numerous sexually explicit images, including 41 indecent images of children.

Claire Brinton of the Crown Prosecution Service said:: “Viewing indecent images of children perpetuates their sexual exploitation, causing deep and long-lasting trauma for these victims.

“The CPS and the Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards received illegal images and videos of children via WhatsApp.

“This prosecution sends a clear signal that the Public Prosecution Service, in collaboration with the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, regardless of where the abuse takes place.”

Notes for editors

Claire Brinton is a Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS’s Serious Economic and Organised Crime Directorate (SEOCID).
Huw Edwards (18/08/1961) from South West London pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images of children and was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay costs of £3,000
Huw Edwards was found to have 41 IIOC, consisting of 7 category A images (6 moving and 1 still), 12 category B images (all moving) and 22 category C images (1 moving and 21 still). The estimated ages of the children present in the category A images are generally around 13 to 15 years, with two of the moving images showing a child aged around 7 to 9 years. The estimated ages of the children present in the category B images are generally around 12 to 14 years, and for the category C images these are generally around 12 to 15 years.