Seven of the unlawful pictures had been of probably the most critical class, prosecutor Ian Hope mentioned, and each of these movies had been marked as “learn” on WhatsApp. In response to the second video, Edwards requested the person sending them: “Any extra?”
The offence of constructing indecent pictures of kids pertains to the pictures that had been despatched to Edwards. Prosecutors didn’t allege Edwards had actually made the pictures in query.
His lawyer Philip Evans mentioned Edwards was on the time of the offending struggling together with his psychological and bodily well being and he had no reminiscence of truly viewing any specific pictures.
“He did not use them for any private gratification and he did not acquire any gratification from these indecent pictures,” Evans mentioned.
Edwards’ was “profoundly sorry”, he added.
“He recognises the repugnant nature of such indecent pictures and the damage that’s performed to those that seem in such pictures.”
Claire Brinton of the Crown Prosecution Service mentioned in an announcement: “Accessing indecent pictures of kids perpetuates the sexual exploitation of them, which has deep, long-lasting trauma for these victims.”
The choose mentioned that Edwards’ popularity was now “in tatters”, however that the private influence on Edwards was “the pure consequence of your behaviour which you introduced on your self”.
A BBC spokesperson mentioned: “We’re appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not simply the BBC, however audiences who put their belief in him.”
