Mugshot of Huw Edwards released for first time as BBC star spared jail

Huw Edwards has swerved a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of “making” indencent images of children.

Edwards, 63, was sentenced on Monday (September 16) at Westminster Magistrates Court to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

An image of Edwards taken by London’s Metropolitan Police emerged shortly after the former BBC presenter’s sentence was delivered by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring.

It shows an unshaven Edwards glaring direcly at the camera lens, with a downturned mouth and stern frown.

The disgraced news presenter arrived at court after 9am on Monday, dragging a suitcase behind him and wearing his wedding ring.

Edwards previously admitted three charges of “making” indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp.

At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Edwards held his hands together and leaned forward throughout his sentencing hearing.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard Edwards told Williams “go on” when asked if he wanted “naughty pics and vids” of somebody described as “yng (sic)”.

The court also heard Edwards paid Williams hundreds of pounds after he sent him pornographic images, but his defence barrister Philip Evans KC said the broadcaster did not make payments to Williams in order to receive indecent images of children.

The prosecution said Williams asked Edwards for a “Christmas gift after all the hot videos”.

Prosecutor Ian Hope said: “Alex Williams says he wants some Air Force 1 trainers that cost around £100, and Mr Edwards offers to send him £200.”

Of the indecent images he received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine.

Mr Evans said Edwards “recognises he has betrayed the priceless trust and faith of so many people”, adding he was “truly sorry” for how he had “damaged his family and his loved ones” and for committing the offences.

Sentencing Edwards, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the broadcaster: “Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character.”

The judge said he accepts Edwards had been of “exemplary” good character “having enjoyed a very successful career in the media”.

“It’s obvious that until now you were very highly regarded by the public,” he continued, adding that Edwards was “perhaps the most recognised newsreader-journalist”.

The judge said: “It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters.”

He also told Edwards he would be subject to 25 rehabilitation sessions and be placed on the sex offender treatment programme for 40 days.

He was also ordered to pay £3,000 in prosecution costs, but a sexual harm prevention order against Edwards was not issued by the court.

Mr Goldspring told Edwards: “I am of the clear view that you do not present a risk or danger to the public at large, specifically to children. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”