Edwards given suspended prison sentence over child abuse images

Edwards, 63, who spent four decades at the BBC, looked pale and tired in the dock at Westminster magistrates court as the chief magistrate, Paul Goldspring, handed down the sentence. Edwards, who nodded at various points during the sentencing remarks, was told that he had been "perhaps the most recognised newsreader/journalist in the UK" but that his "long-earned reputation is in tatters".
His six-month prison sentence will be suspended for two years and he will be obliged to attend a 40-day programme designed to stop him offending again. He pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children after he was sent 41 illegal images by Alex Williams, a convicted paedophile.
Edwards' avoidance of jail was criticised by campaigners. Marilyn Hawes, chief executive of Freedom From Abuse, said: "A sentence like this, which isn't a sentence, what message is it giving to others who are out there doing exactly the same and worse?" As he handed down the sentence, the chief magistrate said he accepted evidence that Edwards had no recollection of viewing the indecent images owing to his mental health issues at the time of the offences.
The court heard from a forensic psychosexual therapist that there was a "tangible risk" of suicide as Edwards, who is an inpatient at the private Nightingale mental health hospital in London, "considers that his family situation may be improved if he was not alive".
The report went on to say that social media had allowed Edwards, who had "managed" his sexual attraction to men since 1994, to "re-engage" with those desires and "boost his fragile self-esteem" but that his mental health problems had led to a failure of judgment.
The court also heard from a consultant psychiatrist who said Edwards was a "complex" individual who had a "particularly challenging" relationship with his father.
Esta historia es de la edición September 17, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 17, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar

Trump Will Decide on Iran Attack 'Within Two Weeks'
Donald Trump set a two-week deadline yesterday to decide whether the US will join Israel's war with Iran, allowing time for a negotiated end to the conflict, the White House said.

'I forgot everyone' Ukrainian soldier tells of three years in Russian prison
Despite all they have endured, it does not take much to draw shy smiles from Diana Shikot, 24, and Dmytro Chorny, 23.

From Spree to Seine Wild swimmers take the plunge in urban European rivers
The last time there was full-scale river swimming in Berlin's city centre, before access was outlawed a century ago, there were probably fewer inflatable unicorns and fluorescent pool noodles.

They're arch-terrorists' Netanyahu invokes old debts to justify new war
It was in Beersheba, about 1,000km and 2,500 years from Babylon, that Benjamin Netanyahu suggested yesterday that the time had come for the Jews to repay their ancient debt to Cyrus the Great and bring liberation to Iran.
How company quietly took more of your fare and workers' earnings with new algorithm
Drivers described their days as being controlled by sophisticated computer code which left them unclear how much Uber would take

‘We must be smarter’ Stokes calls on England to learn from weaknesses
As India Test series begins, captain reveals his team are working on new approach for when they are 'up against wall
UK 'behind the curve' on assisted dying, says MP
The UK is \"behind the curve\" on assisted dying among progressive nations, the bill's sponsor, Kim Leadbeater, has said before one of the most consequential votes for social change in England and Wales.

'Normal' Palmer in control from No 10
Modest 23-year-old still likes PlayStation and has taken Hazard's old shirt as Chelsea prepare for Flamengo
Maresca Has Not Spoken to Mudryk About Doping Charge
Enzo Maresca has said he has not spoken to Mykhailo Mudryk since the Football Association announced on Wednesday that the Chelsea winger has been charged with doping offences.
New law requires Rio hospitals to display anti-abortion signs
A law has just come into force in Rio de Janeiro requiring all public hospitals and clinics run by the municipal government to display anti-abortion signs with messages such as: \"Did you know that the unborn child is discarded as hospital waste?\"