HUW Edwards has admitted being sent a string of indecent photos of children – including a “moving image” of a boy as young as seven.
The former BBC presenter, 62, received the pictures between December 2020 and April 2022.
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Edwards, 62, today pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told seven of the 41 images, which were shared on WhatsApp, fall under Category A – the most serious classification.
This included two moving images of younger children, possibly aged seven and nine years old, as well as kids aged between 13 and 15.
A further 12 images were classed as Category B and 19 as Category C.
Edwards remained emotionless as he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.
The ex-presenter could face a maximum of ten years in prison.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, a child is anyone who has not yet reached the age of 18.
The veteran broadcaster was arrested in November and charged on June 26 – although the information has only just been released.
The CPS has defended its decision to reveal the information on Monday ahead of his first court appearance – despite a lawyer describing the move as “puzzling”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation.
“The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat.
“Edwards was arrested on 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, 26 June following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 31 July.”
Edwards quit the BBC in April after 40 years reporting on some of the world’s biggest stories.
This included leading coverage of the Queen’s funeral and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
He was one of the BBC’s highest-profile and highest-paid presenters with a pay bracket between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023/24.
The Sun revealed yesterday how the dad-of-five has split from his TV producer wife.
Edwards has moved out of the family home in Dulwich, South London, he shared with Vicky.
The couple, who got engaged in 1993, have three sons and two daughters.
A source said: “They separated quite a long time ago but have not announced it publicly.
“Huw has been living elsewhere for a while.”
