DISGRACED former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards’s “long-earned reputation is in tatters,” a judge said today as he was sentenced for accessing indecent images of children.

The ex-journalist was spared jail after admitting three charges of “making” indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp.

The 63-year-old was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during a hearing at Westminster magistrates’ court.

District judge Paul Goldspring, the chief magistrate, said: “Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character, I accept positive exemplary character, having enjoyed a very successful career in the media.

“It is obvious that until now you were very highly regarded by the public for your dedication and professionalism, you were perhaps the most recognised newsreader/journalist in the UK.

“It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters.”

The judge also said that the financial and reputational damage Mr Edwards suffered was “the natural consequence of your behaviour, which you brought upon yourself.”

Judge Goldspring said it is “obvious that these are extremely serious offences,” quoting the author of the pre-sentence report who wrote: “The continued distribution of child abuse images perpetuates a cycle of abuse to fulfil the demand for the sexualisation of children.

“Victims may be aware that their images may be or are still circulating on the internet, and this can lead to feelings of on-going traumatisation.

“The impact of child sexual abuse involving imagery can be severe and lifelong, with the potential for children to be revictimised each time images are viewed. 

“They may feel guilt, shame, and self-blame, and be vulnerable to further sexual abuse.”

He highlighted the young ages of children involved in two of the Category A images, in which one child is aged around seven to nine, as a “significant aggravating feature.”

The judge accepted that Mr Edwards did not make payments for the images to be sent.

The chief magistrate said the medical evidence appears to confirm that Mr Edwards had no memory of viewing any particular image because of his mental health at the time.

He declined to make a sexual harm prevention order against Mr Edwards.