Ex BBC presenter Huw Edwards spared jail after pleading guilty to making indecent images
Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards entered a guilty plea when he attended Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged with making indecent images.
Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards has been spared jail after admitting accessing indecent images of children.
He arrived at court ahead of his sentencing wearing a blue cardigan and pulling a suitcase behind him as he was joined by his legal team.
Edwards listened as he was handed six months imprisonment, suspended for two years. He will not be subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, the court heard. He must also complete a 40-day sex offender treatment programme.
The judge told Edwards in court: "It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters."
Defence barrister Philip Evans KC said Edwards was “truly sorry” and “recognises” the “repugnant nature” of the images sent to him.
The disgraced presenter claimed drinking and the decline in his mental health played a part in his indecent WhatsApp chats.
Edwards admitted to having viewed 377 sexual photographs, including 41 indecent images of children, two of which were of children as young as seven, in Westminster magistrates’ court in July.
He was arrested last November by London’s Metropolitan Police and charged on Wednesday 26 June. Police have said that the alleged offences took place between December 2020 and April 2022.
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Edwards resigned from the BBC on medical advice after last year being named as the presenter at the centre of days of allegations and speculation.
The Sun first reported that the presenter, who at that point was unnamed, was alleged to have paid a young person for sexually explicit photos. His wife, Vicky Flind, later confirmed the unnamed presenter was Huw.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July, Edwards spoke to confirm his name and plead guilty to making indecent images of children.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the offences were committed between December 2020 and August 2021.
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The BBC continued to pay Mr Edwards about £200,000 from November until his resignation in April, despite knowing about his arrest.
The ex-veteran broadcaster saw his salary increase by £40,000 last year. The annual BBC report states that Edwards was paid at least £475,000 between 2023 and 2024, despite being taken off-air.
He remained on the payroll while suspended, which is normal BBC policy. Edwards was also the corporations' highest-paid newsreader.
The BBC has since asked Edwards to repay the £200,000 salary he received since his arrest, with BBC director-general Tim Davie stating they wiill explore the legal process if refused.
