When was Huw Edwards arrested? Charges against former BBC news anchor explored

On Monday, July 29, 2024, the Metropolitan Police informed the public that Huw Edwards, a former BBC News presenter, was charged on Wednesday, June 26, after receiving authorization from the Crown Prosecution Service. He was arrested in November 2023. Stating the same, the authorities said,

"Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London, has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 31 July."

Edwards faces charges for allegedly possessing six Category A images, which is the most severe classification under English law, as well as twelve Category B and nineteen Category C photos on WhatsApp. He could spend up to ten years in prison if proven guilty.

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Huw Edwards has been charged with three counts of offenses

Huw Edwards might be looking at a long prison sentence (Image via Getty/Leon Neal)

Huw Edwards, a 62-year-old veteran television broadcaster who left the Beeb in April 2024 after 40 years, is accused of three crimes. The former BBC news anchor was placed under custody due to his inappropriate use of child imagery.

The 62-year-old is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday, July 31, according to the police. Furthermore, they are cautioning the public and media not to post any material on social media or other websites that could jeopardize upcoming court cases.

On Monday, July 29, 2024, the Metropolitan Police announced the news. They stated that,

"Media and the public are strongly reminded that this is an active case. Nothing should be published, including on social media, which could prejudice future court proceedings."

They disclosed that the alleged violations pertain to 37 photos communicated on a WhatsApp chat and are said to have occurred between 2020 and 2022. The conviction at Crown Court carries a potential several-year prison sentence.

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More about Huw Edwards' offense and the categories of crime

According to Ministry of Justice rules, a "child" is anyone who is younger than 18 years old. A s*xual image of a child is considered indecent and can feature minors who are partially or completely without clothes. It might also involve kids putting themselves in s*xual poses.

According to the CPS,

"Making indecent images can have a wide definition in the law and can include opening an email attachment containing such an image, downloading one from a website, or receiving one via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group."

Pictures of children engaging in penetrative s*xual activity are classified as Category A images by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Pictures of children engaged in non-penetrative s*xual activity are classified as Category B images. Other indecent images that do not fall into categories A or B are classified as Category C images.

Since most offenders have collections with a variety of picture levels, it will be uncommon for the court to sentence an offender for just one level of image. In the case of "mixed collections," the Council always suggests that the highest category of pictures included in the collection would initially decide the proper starting point and range of the offense and the sentence.

Possessing and creating the most offensive photographs under Category A can lead to a sentence, which is from a maximum of six years in prison to a minimum of three years in prison.

The custodial sentences for Category B images range from 26 weeks to four years. The least serious Category C photos carry punishments that range from a high-level community order to three years in prison.

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Huw Edwards' representatives haven't revealed anything about the case as of yet.