Former BBC presenter found guilty of possessing indecent images of children

Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards was found guilty of possessing indecent images of children and sentenced to six months in prison. His sentence was suspended for two years. Edwards admitted receiving 41 sexually explicit images sent to him via WhatsApp in July. These images included photographs of children aged between 7 and 9.

Protesters hold placards outside London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on the day of the expected sentencing of former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards, in London, Britain, Sep. 16, 2024. (Reuters Photo)

Court Decision

Westminster Magistrates' Court ordered Edwards to attend a sex offenders' rehabilitation program and placed him on the sex offenders' list for seven years. He will also have to report his whereabouts to the police.

A BBC sign is displayed outside Broadcasting House in London, Britain July 19, 2017. (Reuters Photo)

The BBC said it was “shocked and saddened” by Edwards' crimes, adding: “This is a betrayal not only of the BBC but also of our viewers.”

Financial details

Edwards reportedly paid hundreds of pounds to a sex offender in exchange for indecent images of children, and the BBC has demanded that he repay nearly £200,000 ($264.149)) in salary since his arrest.

Edwards was the lead presenter of the BBC's News at Ten program and the scandal dealt a major blow to his career. The court found that Edwards' mental health had deteriorated and that this may have been one of the reasons for his offenses.

September 16, 2024 06:23 PM GMT+03:00