Huw Edwards continues to be allowed to textual content paedophile who despatched him images
Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards is still allowed to text the paedophile who sent him dozens of child sex photos.
The shamed star got a suspended prison sentence for his crimes but was not hit with restrictions on texting.
The decision not to impose a Sexual Harm Prevention Order means he will be able to do what he wants with his mobile phone and internet use.
It means he could still be in contact with fellow Welshman Alex Williams, 25, who is the convicted paedophile who sent him the slew of disgusting child sex images.
The 63-year-old can also travel abroad, provided he gives police seven days’ notice.
Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards is still allowed to text the paedophile pal who sent him hundreds of child sex photos
It means he could still be in contact with fellow Welshman Alex Williams, 25, who is the convicted paedophile who sent him the slew of disgusting child sex images. Williams is pictured here as a teenager on a family trip to a Welsh beauty spot
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard this month how Huw Edwards had replied ‘yes xxx’ when asked if he wanted a set of indecent images of children (note: This is not the actual text message exchange)
It was also told that Edwards had told Williams that ages ‘can be deceptive’ when told one of the subjects in an image was ‘quite yng looking’, before asking if he had ‘any more? (note: This is not the actual text message exchange)
Edwards was previously anchor of News at Ten and one of Britain’s most prominent newsreaders
And there are no limitations on where he can go in the UK, meaning he can even visit areas where children frequent such as playgrounds.
He previously admitted three charges of ‘making’ indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by Williams over WhatsApp.
Of the images he received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine.
At Edwards’s sentencing hearing earlier this month, it was revealed what was said between the pair on the messaging app between December 2020 and August 2021.
The court also heard that the presenter had told Williams via message that ages ‘can be deceptive’ when informed that one of the subjects in an image was ‘quite yng looking’, before asking if he had ‘any more?’.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard how Edwards had replied ‘yes xxx’ when asked by Williams if he wanted a set of indecent images of children.
He also messaged saying ‘go on’ when asked if he wanted ‘naughty pics and vids’ of somebody described as ‘yng (sic)’.
Former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley hit out at the lack of restrictions, telling the Sun: ‘This demonstrates the shameful, pathetic, appalling sentences that paedophiles are receiving today.
‘It’s offensive to all right-minded people who believe children are to be protected.
‘For him to walk out with the hint of a smirk on his face, virtually as free as you or I, is galling.’
Sources said Edwards is being treated at the £5,000-a-week Nightingale Hospital, a mental health facility in central London.
The judge also ordered him to complete a sex offender treatment programme and 25 rehabilitation sessions.
The sessions will involve confessing his depraved crimes and how they affected both him and his victims in front of a group of fellow paedophiles.
In court Edwards’s lawyer said he was ‘truly sorry’ for how he has ‘damaged his family and his loved ones’, and for committing the offences.