Huw Edwards betrayed audience who put trust in him, says BBC
Huw Edwards has “betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him”, the corporation said following his sentencing hearing. Disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been spared jail after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven.
A BBC spokesperson said after its former broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced: “We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.”
Claire Brinton, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Accessing indecent images of children perpetuates the sexual exploitation of them, which has deep, long-lasting trauma for these victims. The CPS and Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards was receiving illegal images and videos involving children via WhatsApp.
“This prosecution sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.”
The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of “making” indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Edwards held his hands together and leaned forward throughout his sentencing hearing as he was handed six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard Edwards told Williams “go on” when asked if he wanted “naughty pics and vids” of somebody described as “yng (sic)”. Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, said reputational and financial damage was the “natural consequence of your behaviour which you brought upon yourself”.
The BBC said Edwards had “betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him” – adding that the corporation was “appalled by his crimes”. The court also heard Edwards paid Williams hundreds of pounds after he sent him pornographic images, but his defence barrister Philip Evans KC said the broadcaster did not make payments to Williams in order to receive indecent images of children.
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”, adding that he is “truly sorry” for how he had “damaged his family and his loved ones” and for committing the offences.
Sentencing Edwards, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the broadcaster: “Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character.” The judge said he accepts 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.
He also told Edwards he would be subject to 25 rehabilitation sessions and be placed on the sex offender treatment programme for 40 days. Edwards was also ordered to pay £3,000 in prosecution costs. The judge continued: “I am of the clear view that you do not present a risk or danger to the public at large, specifically to children.
“There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.” He declined to make a sexual harm prevention order against Edwards.