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Ex-BBC anchor Huw Edwards avoids jail over ‘repugnant’ child images, gets suspended sentence

Huw Edwards received a suspended sentence after admitting to possessing indecent images of children, including pornographic videos of a child

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Former British TV news presenter, Huw Edwards, was given a suspended sentence at a London court on Monday after admitting making indecent images of children. Photo: AP

Former BBC anchor Huw Edwards, once one of the most trusted and recognisable faces on British television, on Monday avoided jail over indecent photographs of children, capping a stunning fall from grace.

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The 63-year-old presenter was instead handed a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve any time in prison if he does not reoffend.

Edwards guided Britons through some of their country’s most seismic events over the past two decades, including the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.

His calm delivery – mixed with the public broadcaster’s reputation for journalistic impartiality – made him a reassuring presence for millions.

But his reputation and career now lie in tatters after he pleaded guilty in July to three charges of making indecent images of children between December 2020 and August 2021.

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Sentencing Edwards, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said that if jailed he would have been at risk of “considerable harm” from others, and of suicide, adding that he had also shown remorse.

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