What is Huw Edwards charged with and what are ‘category A’ indecent child images?
Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards is set to appear in court after being charged with making indecent images of children.
The 62-year-old veteran broadcaster is facing three charges relating to images allegedly shared on a WhatsApp chat between December 2020 and April 2022.
He is accused of having six category A images, 12 category B pictures and 19 category C photographs, contrary to sections 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978. If found guilty, he could receive a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
He is due in court on Wednesday 31 July.
What does 'making' indecent images mean?
In the eyes of the law, 'making' indecent images means: “to cause to exist, to produce by action, to bring about” indecent images.
According to CPS guidance, this means 'making' an indecent image can include:
opening an email attachment containing an image
downloading an image from a website onto a computer screen
storing an image in a directory on a computer
accessing a pornographic website in which indecent images 'pop-up'
receiving an image via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group
live-streaming images of children
While the age of consent for sexual intercourse in the UK is 16, it is actually an offence to make, distribute, possess or show any indecent images of anyone aged under 18, even if the content was created with the consent of that young person.
Category A
According to the Sentencing Council, making Category A images involves: possessing, sharing or creating images "involving penetrative sexual activity" or possessing, sharing or creating "images involving sexual activity with an animal or sadism".
The starting point for sentences for the production of Category A images is six years in custody, but can range from four to nine years.
Category B
According to the Sentencing Council, making Category B images involves: possessing, sharing or creating "images involving non-penetrative sexual activity".
The starting point for making Category B images is two years in prison, but can range from one to four years.
Category C
The Sentencing Council outlines that Category C images are other indecent images that do not fall within categories A or B.
Sentencing for these images starts at 18 months in custody, but can range from one to three years.
