Huw Edwards’ defence lawyer spoke of his “exceptional character” during his court appearance on Wednesday, in which he pleaded guilty to three counts of making 41 indecent images of children.
The court heard how Edwards, 62, was sent 377 sexual images of children, with some classed as Category A, the most serious classification.
Edwards’ barrister Philip Evans KC said the broadcaster had “both mental and physical” health issues, adding the former BBC presenter was of “exceptional character” before he issued his plea.
The barrister stated: “It is obvious to the court, I’m sure that Mr Edwards was not just of good character, but of exceptional character,” reports The Daily Mirror.
The court heard how Edwards had been involved in an online chat with a man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021.
Of the 377 images shared, 41 were indecent pictures of children. Many of these are reported to have been sent within a two-month period.
Huw Edwards ‘exceptional character’ was used as a defence in court
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The photos included seven Category A, 12 Category B and 22 Category C.
Of the Category A images, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, with one aged between seven and nine, the court heard.
The Metropolitan Police have since named a convicted paedophile as the man who shared indecent images of children.
The force said Alex Williams, 25, is the convicted paedophile involved in the charges.
Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to the charges on Wednesday’s court appearance
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Williams pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing category A, B and C images as well as possessing indecent images of children.
He was sentenced to a 12-month jail sentence at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on March 15.
Police said an investigation into Edwards began after a phone seized by officers as part of an unrelated probe revealed the broadcaster’s participation in a WhatsApp conversation.
Edwards’ former employer, the BBC, broke its silence following the court appearance, insisting Edwards “would have been sacked” over the “abhorrent” crime had he still been working for the corporation.
Huw Edwards’ defence spoke of his ‘exceptional character’
PA
A statement read: “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.
“There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.”