Huw Edwards: Paedophile who sent ex-BBC presenter indecent images of children

The man who sent Huw Edwards indecent images of children has been pictured as the BBC presenter attends court for his sentencing this morning.

Edwards admitted to possession and distribution of category A, B, and C images and possession of prohibited images of children.

He has been handed a 6-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Edwards was pictured arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday

The disgraced former presenter received the indecent images from 25-year-old Alex Williams via Whatsapp.

He sent Edwards 41 indecent images involving children as young as seven.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Williams also pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing category A, B, and C images as well as possessing prohibited images of children.

He received a 12-month suspended sentence at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in March.

The probe into Edwards was launched after officers looked through a phone as part of an unrelated investigation.

South Wales Police found the WhatsApp conversation between Edwards and Williams where indecent images were shared.

Williams reportedly fled his family home when it became public that he was involved in an investigation into Edwards.

Philip Evans KC, defending Edwards, said on Monday: "There's no suggestion in this case that Mr Edwards has... in the traditional sense of the word, created any image of any sort."

Mr Evans added that Edwards "did not keep any images, did not send any to anyone else, and did not and has not sought similar images from anywhere else".

The former BBC presenter is unlikely to receive a custodial sentence.

Ian Hope, prosecuting, told the court: "Although the conduct in the case amounts to no more than just opening the images, it is essentially treated as a form of possession."

He added that a suspended sentence is possible because of Edwards' guilty plea, his previous good character, documented mental health issues, and his "genuine remorse".

In a statement issued after Edwards was charged, the BBC said: "The police have confirmed that the charges are not connected to the original complaint raised with the BBC in the summer of 2023, nevertheless in the interests of transparency we think it important to set out some points about events of the last year. In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation. At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health

"Today we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court. If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC. During this period, in the usual way, the BBC has kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions. We want to reiterate our shock at Mr Edwards' actions and our thoughts remain with all those affected."