News

Huw Edwards accused of grooming as young man speaks out

Published

6 months ago

August 3, 2024

THE YOUNG person at the centre of the original allegations against Huw Edwards has now come forward, stating that he feels “groomed” by the broadcaster.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror, the young man, who claims he was paid by Edwards to send sexually explicit pictures of himself when he was a teenager, accused the former newsreader of exploiting his vulnerability. The Metropolitan Police, however, found no evidence of criminal behaviour in that matter last year.

This week, the ex-BBC presenter pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in a separate case.

The story first broke in July last year when The Sun newspaper reported on an unnamed young person’s alleged contact with Edwards. It published a claim by his mother that Edwards—then not publicly named—had paid her child tens of thousands of pounds for explicit photos over three years, beginning when they were 17.

Initially, The Sun referred to the individual as a “young person” without specifying a gender. A few days later, the lawyer representing the young person disputed the mother’s account, saying, “the allegations reported in the Sun newspaper are rubbish” and adding in a letter to the BBC that “nothing inappropriate or unlawful” had occurred.

In his new interview on Saturday, the young man described Edwards as “an A-class manipulator”. He revealed that he had first contacted Edwards, along with other celebrities, on social media when he became homeless. The 62-year-old sent him money before asking if there was anything he would do in return.

“Although it was a friendship at the beginning, it did change. He would say things like, ‘Are you going to do something for me then?’ I needed help, so I did,” he said. “I feel like he sort of fed on my vulnerability… as he knew I needed the money. I felt like I was being groomed.”

The young man claims he sent explicit messages and videos to Edwards, who allegedly sent £35,000 over two years in return. He noted, “Because of who he was as a BBC presenter and because he had such power… I felt like I trusted him and that he cared. But that’s how the manipulation started. I looked up to this man but he didn’t really care about me. I felt like he was taking advantage of me but I felt I had to listen to him because he was Huw Edwards.”

Despite initially staying silent to protect Edwards, the young man said he felt “sick” when he heard the news this week.

The Sun also published a video of Edwards allegedly waiting for the young man at a Welsh train station, filmed by the young man’s stepfather. The stepfather told the newspaper, “I was so angry. I just wanted to confront him and tell him to stop doing what he was doing.”

Edwards was suspended by the BBC in July last year. His wife later publicly named him as the TV presenter at the centre of the allegations. The young man revealed that Edwards texted him from an unknown number last October, a few weeks before his arrest, asking him to download the messaging app Signal to “catch up.”

Edwards has not commented on the claims and resigned from the BBC in April, citing medical advice. On Wednesday, he admitted to possessing 41 indecent images of children, which had been sent to him by another man on WhatsApp. These included seven category A images, the most serious classification, two of which depicted a child aged between seven and nine.

Police later revealed that the man who sent the images to Edwards was a convicted paedophile. Until last year, Edwards was one of the main presenters on BBC One’s News at Ten and often fronted coverage of major national events. He was charged last month and could now face a jail sentence. He will next appear in court on September 16 .

Health

New Chief Medical Officer for Wales appointed

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PROFESSOR Isabel Oliver has been named the new Chief Medical Officer for Wales, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.

Prof. Oliver joins the Welsh Government from her position as Director General of Science and Research and Chief Scientific Officer at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). She will provide clinical leadership and offer independent professional advice to the Welsh Government on health and public health matters. Her role includes tackling health inequalities and leading efforts to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes across Wales.

Having started her career in acute hospital medicine in the West Midlands and South West England, Prof. Oliver transitioned to public health. She previously served as Director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England (PHE) and is co-director of the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Protection Research Unit on Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol. She is also an honorary professor at University College London.

Cabinet Secretary’s Welcome
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, praised the appointment, saying:
“Professor Oliver brings a wealth of experience to Wales after working at a senior level in public health in the UK, and I look forward to working with her.
“I’m delighted she has joined us as we work to improve health and wellbeing, and I’d like to offer her a warm welcome to Wales.”

Excited for the Challenge
Prof. Oliver expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating:
“It is an honour to be appointed as the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, and I am very excited to work with the dedicated health professionals and communities across Wales to create a healthier Wales and safeguard our NHS.

“Today, we face challenges from our ageing population, inequalities, and global factors such as climate change. For someone like me, with a great passion for health and wellbeing, Wales offers unique opportunities to secure major improvements in public health and health services, thanks to innovative policies and effective collaboration between sectors. It will be my privilege to serve the people of Wales to secure healthy, resilient, and prosperous communities.”

Prof. Oliver, a keen runner like her predecessor, is set to participate in the Newport Marathon later this year. She succeeds Sir Dr. Frank Atherton, who steps down at the end of January.

Contact Details:
William Davies
0300 0258 788
[email protected]

Let me know if further tweaks are needed!

Crime

Three men jailed for £620,000 cannabis production at former Llandysul school

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE men have been sentenced for producing cannabis worth up to £620,000 at a former school building in Llandysul.

Njazi Gjana, 27, and Ervin Gjana, 24, were each sentenced to two years and six months in prison, while Armeld Troski, 29, received a three-year and four-month prison sentence.

The operation followed a warrant executed by Dyfed-Powys Police on Friday, November 15, 2024, after reports from the public about suspicious activity at the site. Upon entry, officers discovered a large-scale and sophisticated cannabis cultivation setup spanning three floors. The building had been heavily modified to accommodate the illegal operation.

***Llandysul school burned down after the cannabis grow was discovered (Pic: Herald)***

Arrests made after pursuit

During their search of the property, officers heard movement downstairs and arrested two individuals, Njazi and Armeld, on-site. A third man, later identified as Ervin Gjana, escaped by climbing over a wire fence and fleeing into nearby fields. However, police used a drone and conducted a physical search, eventually locating Gjana on a roadside. He was soaking wet and scratched from brambles when arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

All three men were charged with producing a Class B drug and pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, December 20, 2024.

***The police took photos after the grow was discovered (Pic: DPP)***

Police praise public for vigilance

Detective Constable Ben Nicholls said: “I’d like to thank the Llandysul community for their vigilance and proactivity in reporting suspicious activity to police.

“The information we receive from members of the community helps us build the picture of illegal activity that allows us to execute warrants such as this to ensure our area remains hostile to those who deal drugs.

“Monday’s sentencing serves as a reminder of our dedication to removing and preventing harmful substances damaging our communities, and we thank the public for the crucial role they play in this work.”

Signs of cannabis cultivation

Police encourage the public to report any concerns or suspicions about cannabis cultivation. Indicators include:

A distinctive aroma coming from a property and noises from ventilation fans.
Blacked-out windows to avoid detection.
People and vehicles arriving at odd hours.
Bright lights on continuously in seemingly vacant properties.
Excessive condensation on windows.
Unusual wiring or bypassed electricity meters.
‘Garden’ rubbish, such as plant pots, fertiliser, and chemicals.

Any information, no matter how small, could assist in tackling drug-related crime. Reports can be made via:

🖥️ | Online contact
📧 | [email protected]
💬 | Social media direct messages
📞 | Non-emergency: 101

For the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired: text 07811 311 908.

For updates on local policing, appeals, and events, follow Lampeter, Aberaeron, and Llandysul Police on Facebook.

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.