Crime
Disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards faces new accusation of groping
FORMER BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, who recently pleaded guilty to charges of making indecent images of children, now faces fresh allegations of sexual misconduct. The Carmarthenshire-born broadcaster has been accused of groping a man in the toilets of a prestigious London club, adding to the mounting controversy surrounding his personal life.
The latest accusation stems from an incident in January 2022, when Edwards allegedly “aggressively groped” a man during a lunch date at The Ivy, a renowned establishment in London’s West End. According to a report by MailOnline, the 27-year-old victim, who had met Edwards through Instagram, recounted the unsettling encounter.
“Huw followed me into the toilets of the Ivy Club where we were eating,” the man revealed. “While I was standing at the urinals, he grabbed my penis and attempted to masturbate me. I backed away. I was very shocked because this was not in a cubicle, it was in the open urinals area. Anybody could have walked in. I asked him: ‘What are you doing? Please stop.’ But he just kept on saying: ‘I like the danger of getting caught.’ And then he said: ‘I love you.'”
The man further described the encounter as “brazenly aggressive,” suggesting that Edwards derived some form of thrill from abusing his position of power. “I think he got off on the fact that he was a powerful figure and that he could get away with grabbing me in the toilets like that,” he added.
MailOnline also reported having seen a series of WhatsApp exchanges between Edwards and the man, in which the disgraced presenter sent raunchy messages and explicit images of himself. The relationship reportedly began after the young man followed Edwards on Instagram, receiving a “Welcome” message from the broadcaster almost immediately. The two then exchanged phone numbers, eventually leading to a series of lunch dates.
Reflecting on the recent revelations of Edwards’s criminal behaviour, the man expressed deep regret over their association. “Any modicum of sympathy I once had for Edwards is long gone, and I feel ashamed to have ever met him,” he confessed. Initially, the man had been attracted to Edwards, describing him as “charismatic” and admitting he had “fancied” the former BBC star. However, the alarming discovery of Edwards’s involvement in child exploitation has left him feeling “physically sick.”
The legal troubles of Huw Edwards intensified when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on 31 July 2023, where he admitted to three counts of making indecent images of children. The court was informed that Edwards had 377 illicit images on his WhatsApp between December 2020 and April 2022, including videos of a boy aged between seven and nine. These materials were reportedly sent to Edwards by 25-year-old convicted paedophile Alex Williams.
Crime
Sex offender had with hidden phone containing indecent child images
A CONVICTED sex offender has been caught with a secret mobile phone containing indecent images of children, in addition to breaching a court order by using and deleting Snapchat.
Euwyn Draper, 21, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, in April for offences involving the making and distribution of indecent images of children. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The SHPO prohibited Draper from possessing any internet-enabled devices not registered with the police, deleting any internet history or applications, and from holding social media accounts under false names. However, Draper was found to have violated several of these conditions.
According to prosecutor Emily Bennett, Draper informed police that he owned only an Xbox and a mobile phone with internet access. He was instructed to delete a second Instagram account, which he had registered under an anonymous name, and his Snapchat account due to concerns about the app’s ability to delete messages.
Between May 5 and July 10, e-safe software monitoring Draper’s registered phone flagged multiple instances where the Snapchat logo appeared on the device’s status bar. Investigators determined that Draper had used the app on at least two occasions, breaching the terms of his SHPO.
When Draper was asked to attend the police station, officers noted that he had deliberately taken a longer route. Upon questioning, he admitted that this was to allow himself time to delete Snapchat from his phone.
During a visit to his home, officers discovered a phone charger under Draper’s pillow, leading them to find a second mobile phone, hidden from the authorities. The accounts on this device matched those on his registered phone.
Draper claimed this second phone was old and that he had forgotten about it, asserting that he did not believe it was still functional. However, investigators found that across his devices, there were seven Category A images, three Category B images, and one Category C image – all created in November and December of the previous year, prior to the imposition of his SHPO.
Draper, who has one previous conviction for six offences, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and four counts of making indecent images of children.
In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths acknowledged that Draper had an “unhealthy interest and compulsion” to view the illegal material. He argued that as the breaches had occurred so soon after Draper’s initial sentencing, there had not yet been adequate time for rehabilitation efforts to prevent further offending.
“The support he so desperately needs is not going to be offered to him while he is in prison,” Mr Griffiths added.
The court was informed that Draper had spent the last two months in custody and had been evicted from his home as a result.
Judge Paul Thomas KC adjourned sentencing in order to establish whether Draper would have a place to live in the community upon his release, acknowledging that prison time was a possibility.
“He could not complain if he got 16 months in prison,” the judge remarked. “However, I take your point that, in the long term, it is in everyone’s best interest that he gets over this addiction.”
Draper, previously of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, was remanded back into custody and is due to return to court for sentencing on September 26.
Crime
Man arrested following violent Incident in Pembroke Dock
A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of assault following a violent incident in the Wesley Court and Bush Street area of Pembroke Dock on Tuesday, 10th September 2024. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that the man was detained as part of their ongoing investigation into the altercation, which reportedly left eight people assaulted, though none required hospital treatment.
The police were called to the scene on Tuesday evening after reports of a disturbance. It is understood that a knife may have been involved, though authorities have emphasised that no serious injuries were sustained. The nature of the injuries remains unclear, but police have reassured the public that no one was taken to hospital.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, a large-scale search operation was launched, with uniformed and plainclothes officers concentrating their efforts around the Bramble Hall Farm area on Ferry Lane. Local residents reported a significant police presence as officers scoured fields and nearby residential areas in an attempt to locate the suspect.
Despite the swift and extensive deployment of resources, the suspect initially evaded capture, sparking concern in the community. However, the arrest of a man earlier today brings the investigation one step closer to resolution. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and the individual’s involvement.
Dyfed-Powys Police have urged anyone with information that could assist with their enquiries to come forward. They are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant details to contact them online, via email, or by calling 101. Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals can use the text service at 07811 311 908. The police have asked the public to quote reference number DP-20240910-289 when providing information.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers is also available to take information confidentially via their website or by phone at 0800 555111.
Crime
Haverfordwest man accused of creating indecent images of children
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been charged with creating eleven indecent images of children, including seven in the most serious category.
Euwyn Draper appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Sept 9), where he faced charges relating to the production of the illicit material.
Draper, of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, stands accused of making three category B indecent images of a child, one category C image, and seven category A images, the latter being the most severe in terms of content.
The offences are alleged to have taken place on two separate occasions, on 9th November and 26th December of last year, all within Haverfordwest.
During his court appearance, Draper indicated that he intends to plead guilty to all four charges. The magistrates subsequently remanded him in custody ahead of a scheduled hearing at Swansea Crown Court later this month.
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