Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has avoided jail time after admitting to accessing indecent images of children as young as seven.
The former BBC presenter Huw Edwards had previously indicated guilty pleas to three counts of making indecent pictures of children.
The 63-year-old previously admitted to three counts of “making” indecent images after convicted paedophile Alex Williams sent him 41 illegal photos via WhatsApp.
Westminster magistrates’ court heard the offences were committed between December 2020 and August 2021.
After he had entered his pleas, Ian Hope, the prosecutor, laid out the case against him.
The court heard that Edwards had been involved in an online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 41 were indecent images of children.
The bulk of these were sent during a two-month period.
Huw Edwards sentencing: As described on the BBC:
“Emotional, as the court heard about his mental health problems…and an upbringing where his failure to get into Oxford left him feeling like an outsider at the BBC.”
Ridiculous. There is absolutely no excuse for what he did. pic.twitter.com/dikQCH4XIj
— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) September 17, 2024
Throughout his sentencing hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Edwards leaned forward and clasped his hands together as he was given a six-month sentence that was suspended for two years.
Edwards reportedly instructed Williams to “go on” when he asked if he wanted “naughty pics and vids” of someone referred to as “yng (sic)” before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Additionally, the court heard that Edwards gave Williams hundreds of pounds after the latter sent him pictures.
However, Edwards’ defence attorney, Philip Evans KC, contended that the broadcaster did not give Williams money in exchange for receiving explicit photos of youngsters.
Huw Edwards paid for 41 images of children, some between 7 and 9 years old, showing penetration.
He is NOT expected to receive a custodial sentence.
Three years for a tweet, though.. pic.twitter.com/n2mVhlHrnJ
— Rob Boyd, Esq (@AvonandsomerRob) September 16, 2024
Prosecutor Ian Hope said: “Alex Williams says he wants some Air Force 1 trainers that cost around £100, and Mr Edwards offers to send him £200.”
Of the indecent images he received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine.
Mr Evans said Edwards “recognises that he has betrayed the priceless trust and faith of so many people.”
Mr Evans added that Huw Edwards is “truly sorry” for how he had “damaged his family and his loved ones” and for committing the offences.
Sentencing the BBC presenter, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the broadcaster: “Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character.”
The judge said he accepted Huw Edwards had been of “exemplary” good character “having enjoyed a very successful career in the media.”
“It’s obvious that until now you were very highly regarded by the public,” he continued, adding that Edwards was “perhaps the most recognised newsreader-journalist”.
“It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters,” the judge said.
Edwards was one of the BBC’s most prominent and highest-paid news anchors before he left the corporation in April on medical grounds.
During his career, he fronted BBC’s News At Ten for 20 years and anchored coverage of major national events, including announcing Queen Elizabeth II’s death on the BBC and presenting coverage of her funeral.
