{"id":28313,"date":"2024-09-17T05:06:55","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T09:06:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=28313"},"modified":"2024-09-17T05:06:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T09:06:55","slug":"huw-edwards-given-suspended-jail-term-for-making-indecent-images-of-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2024\/09\/17\/huw-edwards-given-suspended-jail-term-for-making-indecent-images-of-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Huw Edwards given suspended jail term for making indecent images of children"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Disgraced BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has been given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted charges of making indecent images of children.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The court heard that among a number of WhatsApp exchanges with a man later convicted of sex offences, Edwards was offered \u201cnaughty\u201d images of somebody described as &#8220;yng (sic)&#8221;, to which he replied &#8220;go on&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He will be placed on the sex offenders&#8217; register for seven years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cmj260e54x7o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In July<\/a>, the former newsreader admitted having 41 images, which were sent to him on WhatsApp \u2013 including some showing a victim aged between seven and nine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cn033p4d82xo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Four key takeaways from Huw Edwards&#8217; sentencing<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">During his sentencing at Westminster Magistrates\u2019 Court he was also told to attend a sex offender treatment programme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Edwards was sent images by a 25-year-old convicted sex offender called Alex Williams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The court heard that in another exchange with Williams, Edwards replied &#8220;yes&#8221; followed by three &#8216;X&#8217;s when asked whether he wanted sexual images of a person whose &#8220;age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He responded to Williams with: &#8220;Amazing&#8221;. The court heard he was also sent a link with more images, then discussed buying Williams a Christmas present.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Two months later, after yet another exchange, Edward told Williams: &#8220;Don&#8217;t send anything underage&#8221;, however this was not the last contact Edwards had with Williams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The judge sentencing him remarked that the former broadcaster&#8217;s &#8220;long-earned reputation&#8221; was &#8220;in tatters&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A BBC spokesperson said the corporation was &#8220;appalled&#8221; by Edwards&#8217; crimes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1b5y2ub-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-bndjmu-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/999\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/8030\/live\/b73b58a0-7445-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Photographers photograph Edwards from behind a barricade as he leaves court\" width=\"999\" height=\"562.4369999999999\" \/><\/picture><\/span>Huw Edwards leaving court on Monday (Image: Reuters)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Under the law, images can mean photos or clips.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The chief magistrate, District Judge Paul Goldspring, accepted Edwards\u2019 submission that he did not make or create the images in the conventional sense, and instead met the legal definition of doing so by opening them on WhatsApp.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The court previously heard that Edwards sent hundreds of pounds to Williams after he sent him pornographic images.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">While most of the images were of adult men, a significant proportion of the images were of children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Of the 377 images, 41 were indecent images, which means they were underage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The court heard that the Category A images Edwards was in possession of were mostly children aged 13-15.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">One child was aged between seven and nine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\" data-component=\"links-block\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-mh3hvv-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\" role=\"list\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c4gegnqd4z3o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Huw Edwards scandal: Shock, anger and damage limitation in the BBC<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/live\/cvgxg673y8et\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Huw Edwards paid hundreds of pounds for images, says prosecutor at sentencing hearing<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\" data-testid=\"promo\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c9x8zllw84zo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Timeline: How the Huw Edwards scandal unfolded<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The offences were committed between December 2020 and August 2021.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Williams first contacted Edwards in 2018 via Instagram, and has since been convicted and sentenced for distribution and possession of indecent images of children \u2013 and it was during that investigation that Edwards\u2019 involvement was revealed, the court heard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Throughout the hearing, Edwards sat leaning forward, his hands clasped in front of his mouth, elbows propped on his thighs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Summing up the case, the judge said there was no evidence that Edwards did anything further with the images he received from Williams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The court heard Edwards had not directly paid for the images, but that there was a clear inference that Williams would request gifts and presents after sending them, and that Edwards had sent money, described by the prosecution as amounting to around \u00a31,000 to \u00a31,500.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1b5y2ub-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-bndjmu-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/999\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/111d\/live\/0aab5980-7442-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 976w\" alt=\"A court sketch of chief magistrate district judge Paul Goldspring and Huw Edwards \" width=\"999\" height=\"562.4369999999999\" \/>(<\/picture><\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\" role=\"text\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image: <\/span>Julia Quenzler)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Edwards had told Williams not to send images of people who were underage, but only at a later stage, the judge said, adding \u201cthis is not a case where, despite protestation not to, nonetheless the images were still sent\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But the judge found Edwards\u2019 remorse was genuine, and he said the former broadcaster\u2019s decision-making at the time of the offences may have been impaired by his mental health difficulties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said Edwards did not pose a risk to the public or children, and an immediate custodial sentence was not necessary because the evidence showed he could be rehabilitated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The appropriate sentence would be 12 months for the most severe abuse images, the judge said, but, taking into account the mitigation and early guilty plea, he said the sentence would be six months suspended for two years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It means Edwards will not go to jail unless he commits another offence within the sentence period.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The magistrate also read from a pre-sentence report to highlight the impact such offences have on the victims.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It described how distributing child abuse images \u201cperpetuates a cycle of abuse\u201d and can lead to ongoing traumatisation of victims, impacting them throughout their lives and potentially making them vulnerable to further sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1b5y2ub-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-sft8a2-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/8372\/live\/52f71d60-71e9-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Huw Edwards sitting behind the desk in front of a Westminster backdrop while presenting the 2019 election results programme\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-1kk6ucf-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-y7krbn-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Edwards fronted BBC News coverage including the 2019 general election results<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Edwards was found to have seven category A images &#8211; the most serious classification.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He also had 12 category B pictures, and 22 photographs in category C, the least serious classification.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The category B and C pictures showed children aged between 12 to 15.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Reacting to the sentencing, the prime minister said he was &#8220;shocked and appalled&#8221; by the case.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1b5y2ub-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-bndjmu-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/999\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/ff01\/live\/9db5b900-7451-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg 976w\" alt=\"A court sketch of Huw Edwards holding his hands together\" width=\"999\" height=\"562.4369999999999\" \/>(<\/picture><\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\" role=\"text\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image: <\/span>BBC \/ Julia Quenzler)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Until last year, Edwards was one of the main presenters on BBC One&#8217;s News at Ten and often fronted coverage of major national events.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He was the BBC&#8217;s highest-paid journalist, receiving between \u00a3475,000 and \u00a3479,999 between April 2023 and April 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The BBC has asked him to return the \u00a3200,000 he earned between his arrest last November and his resignation this April.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cm23lmn2n9yo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The BBC&#8217;s director general said last week<\/a>\u00a0that &#8220;discussions are under way&#8221; about the possibility of clawing back the money.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\" data-component=\"subheadline-block\">\n<h2 id=\"Making-indecent-images-what-does-the-law-say\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span role=\"text\">Making indecent images &#8211; what does the law say?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Making&#8221; indecent images can have a wide legal definition, and covers more than simply taking or filming the original picture or clip.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Crown Prosecution Service says it can include:<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">opening an email attachment containing an image<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">downloading an image from a website to a screen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">storing an image on a computer<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">accessing a pornographic website in which an image appears in an automatic &#8220;pop-up&#8221; window<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">receiving an image via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">or live-streaming images of children<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A court must also decide whether an offence falls into the category of possession, distribution or production.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk\/offences\/magistrates-court\/item\/possession-of-indecent-photograph-of-child\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sentencing Council<\/a>, which issues guidelines on sentencing that the courts must follow unless it is in the interests of justice not to do so, creating the original image counts as production &#8211; the more serious of the three categories. It adds that &#8220;making an image by simple downloading should be treated as possession for the purposes of sentencing&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a statement, Derek Ray-Hill, interim CEO at the Internet Watch Foundation, said: \u201cIt is shocking that an app most people have on the phone in their pocket allows child sexual abuse imagery to proliferate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">\u201cAs the regulator, Ofcom needs to utilise the full strength of the Online Safety Act, and compel companies to use their best endeavours to prevent images from circulating in end to end encrypted environments.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cgm7dvv128ro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">Disgraced BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has been given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted charges of making indecent images of children. The court heard that among a number of <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2024\/09\/17\/huw-edwards-given-suspended-jail-term-for-making-indecent-images-of-children\/\" title=\"Huw Edwards given suspended jail term for making indecent images of children\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[10658,4826,10465,5098,3067],"class_list":{"0":"post-28313","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-uk","9":"tag-huw-edwards","10":"tag-indecent-images","11":"tag-online-safety-act","12":"tag-westminster-magistrates-court","13":"tag-whatsapp","14":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28313"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28315,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28313\/revisions\/28315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}