Huw Edwards says he has “no memory” of viewing the child abuse images that destroyed his reputation.
The disgraced BBC News presenter, 63, was formally convicted of his crimes at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 16). He was handed a six-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that the former newscaster had been in contact with Alex Williams, a known paedophile, who sent him indecent images of children – some as young as seven years old. It was revealed the incidents took place in December 2020 and August 2021.
READ MORE: BBC’s Huw Edwards arrives at court with suitcase as he learns fate over indecent child images
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During this time, Williams sent Edwards 377 sexual images and 41 of these were of children. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Edwards that his offences are “extremely serious” and that his “reputation is in tatters”.
(Image: PA)
Defence barrister Mr Evans KC told the court Huw does not even remember looking at the images that had been supplied to him. When pressed on how he could not remember, the defence claimed that his amnesia was caused due to poor mental health at the time.
Mr Evans KC claimed: “You have read both the mental and physical health of Mr Edwards which were particularly bad at precisely the time when this offending took place. It’s had an effect on his cognition.
“He has no memory of viewing any particular images – he did not store any of these images on any device,” he argued. “He didn’t use them for any personal gratification.”
(Image: BBC)
Seven of the photos Edwards received were classified as Category A images – the most severe grading of child sexual abuse. The Welsh presenter, who narrowly avoided a Sexual Harm Prevention Order against him, sat in the dock leaning forward, pressing his fingers against his lips as the case was being heard.
As well as this, Mr Evans KC insisted that Huw was “truly sorry” for the crimes that he committed, apologising directly to his family and loved ones for the trauma he has put them through. He added that Huw knows he has “damaged” the relationship between his family and him.
At court, he was handed a six-month jail sentence that was suspended for two years. This means that should Huw reoffend within the next two years, he will be immediately taken to prison.
Edwards was first arrested on claims of making indecent images of children in November of 2023, some give months before he officially left the BBC. Despite having been taken off the air in July, he was able to receive a pay increase, remaining one of the top-paid staff members for the corporation.
(Image: PA)
Huw also added in his defence that he had given various sums of money to the convicted paedo for the sick photos, though this was argued against by defence lawyers. Since the guilty plea, the BBC has said it wants the added salary that it paid the disgraced presenter back.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
