Former BBC Anchor Huw Edwards Avoids Jail, Ordered to Complete Sex Offender Treatment Program for Making Indecent Images of Children
Huw Edwards has been handed a suspended prison sentence of six months after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children. He has also been ordered to complete a sex offender treatment program and will be added to the sex offender register for seven years.
The decision means he will not face jail time.
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The former BBC news anchor appeared in person to hear the sentence at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday morning. Eschewing his usual suit and tie for a dark blue cardigan, white shirt and dark trousers, he remained impassive in the dock as Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring made his sentencing remarks, leaning forward with his chin in his hands before being asked to stand as the sentence was read out.
Edwards, who was once the highest paid news anchor at the BBC, first appeared in court back in July where he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Sentencing was delayed until today to give parties time to prepare a pre-sentence report.
At the original hearing, the prosecutor explained that Edwards did not take the images himself, which included six deemed “Category A,” the most serious. They were sent to him via WhatsApp by another man who first made contact with Edwards on social media. However, the offence is considered “strict liability” in the U.K., meaning that even if Edwards did not intend to view or download the images, the fact they were found on his phone makes him culpable.
However it emerged during the sentencing hearing that Edwards had sent Williams “gifts” of money during their correspondence, ostensibly for university fees and items such as new sneakers. Edwards claimed these sums were not intended as payment for the images Williams was sending him, which the Chief Magistrate accepted.
Via his lawyer, Edwards apologized to the court for receiving the images. “He wishes the court through me to know how profoundly sorry he is,” said his lawyer, Philip Evans KC. “He recognises the repugnant nature of such indecent images and the hurt that is done to those that appear in such images. For his part in that he apologises sincerely and makes it clear he has the utmost regret.”
Altogether police found 41 images, which included videos as well as photographs, of children as young as seven. The images were sent to Edwards by a man identified in the British press as Alex Williams, who pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing indecent images earlier this year. He was given a 12-month suspended sentence.
Edwards’ glittering 40-year career as a BBC newsman – which saw him tasked with delivering news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death to the world in Sept. 2022 – came crashing down last year after British tabloid The Sun ran a story saying a senior BBC presenter had paid a teenager for “sexual” pictures. Edwards was not charged over the incident although he immediately went on medical leave, checking into a facility for his mental health.
He continued to be paid until he finally resigned in April 2024, despite the BBC being made aware that he had been charged with making indecent images of children in 2023.
The BBC claims it is now trying to get Edwards to repay around ￡200,000 ($262,000) of his salary for that period.
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