The sentence given to disgraced BBC star Huw Edwards can’t be reviewed or elevated regardless of a barrage of complaints calling it too lenient.
The previous information presenter acquired a six-month suspended sentence on Monday after pleading responsible to possessing indecent photos of youngsters as younger as seven.
The end result sparked outrage from marketing campaign teams, who mentioned it was ‘ludicrous, absurd and embarrassing’ that he was allowed to stroll out of court docket as an alternative of being despatched instantly to jail.
Lord Richard Hermer KC, who’s the Legal professional Normal and the federal government’s prime authorized advisor, is known to have acquired a number of complaints from members of the general public and politicians urging him to refer the case to the Court docket of Enchantment.
Nevertheless, present guidelines imply that Edwards’ case can’t be referred to enchantment court docket judges, sparking requires them to be modified.
Huw Edwards, pictured right here trying gaunt in his police mugshot, acquired a six-month jail sentence suspended for 2 years on Monday
The previous information presenter, pictured right here leaving court docket after his sentencing on Monday, has pleaded responsible to possessing 41 indecent photos of youngsters
The previous BBC star, pictured right here at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on Tuesday in a court docket sketch, breathed a sigh of relieve when instructed he would not be despatched to jail instantly
When circumstances are referred to the Court docket of Enchantment, judges can enhance sentences in the event that they consider they’ve been unduly lenient.
However, based on the Legal professional Normal’s workplace, solely sentences handed down by Crown Courts might be checked out below the scheme.
Because the married father-of-five was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket, this implies his case is ineligible to be referred.
It has sparked extra fury amongst victims campaigners, with Dame Vera Baird, the previous Labour solicitor basic, telling The Telegraph: ‘It appears odd that there’s a workable scheme for unduly lenient sentences within the Crown Court docket which the general public can ask the Legal professional Normal to think about.
‘But, there may be nothing that might assist a member of the general public who was a sufferer of what may very well be a really severe assault or sexual abuse or any celebration to make a proper utility on a sentence within the magistrates’ court docket.’
Richard Tice, the deputy chief of Reform UK, instructed the paper that the ‘pathetic sentence’ meant there may very well be grounds for a retrial.
He mentioned: ‘I consider the Crown Prosecution Service or Legal professional Normal can ask for retrial by Crown Court docket choose performing as District Choose because it was wrongly allotted to magistrates’ court docket below part 66 of Courts Act 2003. If not then guidelines should be modified. Ought to by no means have been handled at such a low court docket.’
An evaluation of official information by the paper discovered that greater than 7,000 folks caught with baby intercourse abuse photos have averted jail within the final three years, with fewer than 20 per cent of these convicted being put behind bars with the remaining given suspended or group sentences.
Huw Edwards leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket along with his authorized staff following his sentencing on Monday
Alex Williams, pictured right here as a youngster on a household journey to a Welsh magnificence spot, shared indecent photos with Huw Edwards that led to the newsreader’s downfall
Edwards had confronted a possible jail sentence on Monday as he appeared in court docket after being despatched 41 indecent photos of youngsters by convicted paedophile Alex Williams.
The 63-year-old had wired hundreds of kilos to Williams, who despatched him porn, a few of which he referred to as ‘superb’.
The disgraced broadcaster had additionally instructed the convicted paedophile ‘go on’ when requested if he needed ‘naughty pics and vids’ of anyone described as younger.
Edwards wrote ‘sure xxx’ when he was requested by Williams if he needed sexual photos of an individual whose ‘age may very well be discerned as being between 14 and 16’.
He was additionally despatched two pornographic movies of a kid aged between seven and nine-years-old.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on Monday, Edwards held his fingers collectively and leaned ahead all through his sentencing listening to. He then let loose a ‘small sigh’ as he was handed six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.
Edwards smiled broadly as he left the courtroom accompanied by a member of his authorized staff – carrying the identical small suitcase he had introduced with him, probably in anticipation of being jailed.
He later walked onto the road along with his authorized staff earlier than being pushed away in a black Mercedes. A mugshot launched of the presenter confirmed him staring on the digital camera – lifeless eyed and gaunt – with silver stubble throughout his face.
Final evening shadow safety minister Tom Tugendhat wrote to Lord Hermer to boost issues about how the previous tv anchor was capable of escape a direct custodial sentence.
He mentioned the choice seemed to be ‘inconsistent’ with the rules for Edwards’ offence, which often carries custodial time.
‘It’s essential that sentences function a deterrent and replicate the intense nature of those crimes,’ he mentioned.
Shadow safety minister Tom Tugendhat, pictured at BBC Broadcasting Home on September 8, has referred to as for the sentence to be reviewed
Legal professional Normal Lord Hermer, pictured arriving at Downing Avenue yesterday, is being urged to evaluation the choice below the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme
‘As a nationwide family title, the nation have been shocked by the prison actions of Mr Edwards. I’m positive that they are going to be seeking to the Authorities to steer by instance and make sure that heinous crimes are punished swiftly and appropriately,’ he added.
‘I urge you to formally evaluation this case below the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. A reassessment wouldn’t solely handle public concern but in addition reinforce our dedication to defending weak people and upholding justice.’
There was additionally criticism from victims’ teams, with Emma-Jane Taylor, who based the Not My Disgrace social media motion final yr, claimed the sentence Edwards’ acquired may encourage different abusers.
She instructed Good Morning Britain: ‘This doubtlessly inexperienced lights one other extra severe state of affairs for a kid. It places youngsters at dangers as a result of abusers will take a look at this and suppose ”really, this man’s obtained off, he is gone dwelling, I am going to give it a go”.
‘The justice system within the UK is ludicrous. It is absurd, embarrassing and it is not going to guard youngsters.’
Huw Edwards, pictured right here leaving Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on Monday, has not paid again any of his £200,000 wage acquired from the BBC since his arrest
Edwards’ former BBC colleagues are additionally disgusted by his crimes and consider he ought to have been despatched to jail, MailOnline beforehand revealed.
One former colleague instructed MailOnline: ‘He needs to be in jail. He was chatting with a paedo for 4 years who then despatched him baby porn. And he did not go to the police. But he is in court docket attempting to recommend he’s a sufferer. It could be laughable if it wasn’t so abhorrent’.
Edwards, who resigned from the BBC in April, has been requested to repay the £200,000 wage he has acquired since his arrest. He has to this point refused. And also will maintain his pension.
MailOnline can reveal there may be nice animosity in direction of him on the Beeb, who’ve been rocked by one more baby intercourse scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris.
One BBC staffer mentioned: ‘He nonetheless hasn’t repaid his wage and dragged us by the mud once more.
‘Many on the BBC need him to pay for what he has performed. He has performed the system’.
A former colleague mentioned: ‘Huw had big expertise and presence however has all the time been very prickly and thin-skinned’.
A BBC spokesperson mentioned after its former broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced: ‘We’re appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not simply the BBC, however audiences who put their belief in him.’
