Huw Edwards gets suspended sentence

Former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

The embattled broadcaster was also ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation sessions and 40 days of sex offender treatment.

Edwards appeared at Westminster Crown Court on Monday (September 16) to hear his sentence after pleading guilty in late July to three charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Related: BBC boss defends ‘fair and judicious’ decisions over Huw Edwards

Edwards was charged in July with the crimes, which allegedly occurred between December 2020 and April 2022.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the three charges arise from 41 images shared via a WhatsApp chat, seven of which are said to have been classed as Category A images – the most serious classification of offensive images.

Edwards is also accused of having 12 category B images and 22 category C images. The remaining indecent image – sent in August 2021 – was a category A film featuring a young boy.

In passing sentence, Chief Justice Paul Goldspring acknowledged Edwards’ history of mental health problems.

“You did not keep them and you did not forward them to anyone else. I accept that you had mental health issues. The extent to which you derived sexual satisfaction from the images is difficult to assess,” he said.

Edwards told the court he “deeply regretted” his actions and apologised for “breaching the inestimable trust and faith of so many people”.

After the sentencing, Claire Brinton, of the CPS, said: “Accessing 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 show 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.”

After the conviction, the BBC issued a statement saying: “We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not only the BBC but also the public who placed their trust in him.”

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