Crime

Huw Edwards refuses to return £200,000 of licence fee money

Published

11 months ago

March 9, 2025

FORMER BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards has refused to return £200,000 of public money, despite calls for him to do so, it has been revealed.

BBC chairman Samir Shah told MPs that there was a moment when he believed Edwards “might do the right thing for a change” but said that expectation was not met. The comments came during a Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee hearing, where the BBC’s handling of recent controversies was scrutinised.

Director-general Tim Davie confirmed that legal advice was sought on reclaiming the money, but there were no further steps the Corporation could take to retrieve it. “We’ve obviously asked many times, but he seems unwilling,” Dr Shah told MPs. “There was a moment we thought he might just do the right thing for a change, then he decided not to. It’s quite frustrating because I think he should have done it.”

Dr Shah added: “He could still do it. It’s not right. He’s taken licence fee-payers’ money and he knew what he’d done. He should return it now.”

Edwards, 63, who spent four decades at the BBC, was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence in September after admitting to accessing indecent photographs of children. The sentence, given at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, was delivered by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who told Edwards that his “long-earned reputation is in tatters.”

Marilyn Hawes, the 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?”

Edwards’ sentence will be suspended for two years, and he will be required to complete a 40-day rehabilitation programme. He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, after being sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams.

Crime

Teen ordered to pay compensation after assault

Published

1 minute ago

February 6, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEENAGER has been ordered to pay compensation after admitting an assault which left another young person injured.

A 13-year-old boy from Pembroke Dock appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard the offence involved an attack on another youth.

Due to the age of those involved, no further details of the incident can be reported.

Magistrates ordered the defendant to pay £500 in compensation to the victim, along with prosecution costs.

The matter was dealt with in the youth court.

Crime

Domestic abuse charge discontinued at magistrates

Published

3 minutes ago

February 6, 2026

Court Reporter

A DOMESTIC abuse case involving allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour has been discontinued at court.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, aged thirty-five, of Ashtree House, Worcester Road, Little Witley, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.

The charge alleged that he repeatedly monitored the complainant’s phone and laptop use, restricted her ability to work, and caused damage to property.

The matter had been listed for trial but prosecutors formally discontinued the case before evidence was heard.

No application was made for costs.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Tenby hotel assault

Published

5 minutes ago

February 6, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN has been sent for trial at Crown Court following an alleged assault at a Tenby hotel.

Leon Jenkins, aged thirty-two, of Gellihir Farm, Bryn Terrace, Lletty Brongu, Maesteg, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard the charge relates to an incident at the The Dunes Hotel in Tenby.

No details of the alleged injuries were outlined in court and the complainant has not been named.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the allegation and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Jenkins was granted conditional bail and will appear at Crown Court at a later date.

The case will now proceed to a full hearing before a judge and jury.