The mum of a man paid thousands of pounds by former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards for sexual images wrote an open letter to him ahead of his sentencing in 2024

Huw Edwards paid thousands of pounds to a young man for sexual images, but before the newsreader was sentenced in September 2024, the young man’s mother wrote an open letter to the disgraced presenter.

The woman, who is not being named to protect the anonymity of her son, said he was a “normal, happy teenager” before Edwards came into his life. In a heartbreaking account, the woman told Edwards he’d caused her son to change from a “normal, happy teenager” which led him to take a “dark path”. She said he caused her family “immense pain and suffering” in the pursuit of “sick pleasure”.

The former BBC News host later appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 16, after admitting to having 41 indecent pictures of children. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

The mother’s letter reads: “I am today writing this open letter to make you understand the immense pain and suffering you have caused me, my son, my family, your own family – and all of your victims over the years. In doing so I hope I am giving a voice to the mothers of the poor children who were abused for your twisted gratification.

“Those very young children who were robbed of their innocence forever for your sick pleasure. Who knows what eternal damage you and your paedophile friends have done to them? My heart breaks for every one of them – and their families. Their grief is mine, too.

“You will receive your punishment in court. I won’t be able to tell that court the full details of what you did to my family. But in writing this letter I hope to take back the power and control which you so cruelly stole from us. I want you to see exactly what your behaviour did to us.

“My son was a normal, happy teenager before you wormed your way into his life. He wanted to be a lawyer, to be a success. Instead you sent him down a dark path. He started having problems with drink and drugs. You knew that but kept pestering him for pictures.

“You sent him more money, knowing that he was likely to spend it on his addiction. You sent him tens of thousands of pounds. Sent text messages calling him “Princess” to control him and keep him on side. And when we tried to stop this toxic relationship – to save our boy from your clutches – you tried to bribe us and set lawyers on us.

“Your friends in the media tried to smear us as liars. Our own family turned against us – even though everything we said was true. You drove a wedge between me and my son. Only now are we able to try to repair the damage you did. I want you to know that while there were times when you came close – you never wholly destroyed me.

“I will not let you destroy us. You have trashed your career and reputation and will never be on television again. You have wrecked your relationship with your own family – and betrayed the BBC colleagues you worked for.

“That you have lost everything is no consolation to us. All we care about is that we stopped your predatory grooming and saved our boy. For now, that is enough.”

On July 31, 2024 the father-of-five pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the 62-year-old was involved in an online chat with convicted paedophile Alex Williams from south Wales on WhatsApp between December, 2020, and August, 2021.

Williams sent him 377 sexual images – of which 41 were indecent images of children – and the bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period. Edwards faced charges of seven Category A, the worst category, 12 Category B, and 22 Category C indecent images of children.

Huw Edwards was later sentenced to a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children.

Former Manchester United Mason Greenwood endured a thrilling 18 minutes in action for Marseille as he was body checked before picking up an injury

Mason Greenwood was knocked to the floor during an angry bust-up just 13 minutes into Marseille’s Ligue 1 clash with Lille on Sunday. The former Manchester United star picked up the ball in his own half but was taken out by Calvin Verdonk which saw a yellow card shown.

Greenwood did not take too kindly to the foul and quickly got up to confront Lille’s left-back, but he was body checked to the floor by Hakon Haraldsson, who rushed to the scene which sparked a mass brawl between more players. Both the latter and Greenwood were booked for their parts in the fracas.

The 24-year-old was only on the pitch for a few more minutes after that as he was substituted due to an injury with Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri replacing him. He went on to open the scoring for Marseille with close-range finish just before half-time.

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However, two goals in the second half from Thomas Meunier and late substitute Olivier Giroud saw Lille depart Stade Velodrome with all three points. Despite the defeat to their Champions League qualification rivals, it has been a impressive season for Marseille thus far as they sit third in the table.

Greenwood has been key to their strong form as he has managed 25 goals in all competitions with eight assists also arriving over that period. Though he has not played for United in over four years, there remains interest in how he is performing and if transfer suitors take note of his displays.

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That is because United included a sell-on clause when he completed a £26.6million move to Marseille which entitles them to receive up to 50 per cent of the profits coming from a potential sale.

Serie A side Juventus are believed to be interested in signing Greenwood this summer with £60million mooted as the potential transfer fee required to sign him.

United could therefore take in a maximum of £30million from such a move, with just under half that coming as profit, though Marseille are likely to be keen for more given the clauses surrounding his future.

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Previous loan club Getafe will also be keeping tabs on Greenwood as it is believed the Spanish club negotiated around 20 per cent of United’s potential windfall.

Marseille securing Champions League football for next season could have bearings on Greenwood’s future with the added funds perhaps making him want to stay.

Now led by Habib Beye, following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille occupy the final guaranteed Champions League qualification spot. They sit one point ahead of fourth-placed Lyon and now just two in front of Lille.

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It’s claimed the 25-year-old also beat the woman over the head with his phone and kicked her repeatedly in a row over him buying cocaine

A man allegedly punched his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach and said he hoped the baby died, the High Court heard.

Oisin McDonald also beat the woman over the head with his phone and kicked her repeatedly in a row over him buying cocaine, it was claimed.

Police found the 25-year-old accused from Co Armagh hiding under cushions at a blood-spattered flat in Lurgan earlier this month.

McDonald, of Killough Gardens in the town, was refused bail on charges of causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing Class A drugs.

Prosecution counsel Mark O’Connor said on Monday the woman was spotted running from apartments at William Street on March 11 with her face covered in blood. Police called to the scene discovered blood on walls of the stairway area and on the kitchen floor inside the debris-strewn flat.

McDonald was located hiding behind a sofa, concealed under cushions while sweating profusely and in an agitated state. He had blood all over his hands and claimed a relative had taken his girlfriend to hospital after she fell down the stairs.

As officers spoke to him a small bag of white powders suspected to be drugs was observed on a television cabinet. The woman was 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the alleged attack, the court heard.

In hospital she was initially reluctant to make any complaint, but later claimed McDonald had been physically and verbally abusive during their relationship. She told police an altercation broke out on March 11 over him purchasing cocaine.

“During this he beat her to the back of the head with his phone, causing a laceration, and punched and slapped her face,” Mr O’Connor submitted.

“He punched her to the back of the head, and kicked her all over her body.”

At one stage McDonald allegedly pulled the woman by the hair to get her back into the property. Counsel further contended: “He punched her to the left side of her stomach and told her that he hoped the baby died.”

McDonald faces further charges of theft, criminal damage and fraud over claims he smashed the woman’s phone and took £355 from her universal credit account.

During his police interviews he denied all of the allegations against him. He claimed his girlfriend had tripped over a bicycle in a communal area of the flats, fell backwards on to stairs and hit her head off a wall.

According to McDonald’s account, he tried to stem the bleeding before calling a relative to take her to hospital.

Lord Justice Colton was told the defendant has long-term mental health problems, including ADHD, autism and a sensory processing disorder.

But despite accepting there were addiction-related issues to be addressed, the judge ruled that McDonald must remain in custody to protect the alleged victim.

He said: “I would be concerned if released he would not comply with conditions and that would put the complainant at significant risk.”

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Shonnel Malani, managing partner at Advent and chairman of the board at Ultra Electronics, said: “During what has been a time of major geopolitical tension and uncertainty, we are proud that the investments made in Ultra Cyber, under Advent’s ownership, have supported efforts to help protect the country and its allies from electronic warfare, and contributed to strengthening the UK’s sovereign capabilities.”

Shouksmiths, which offers full large-scale mechanical and electrical packages to the construction industry, opened Park 18Twenty, on Murton Way, Osbaldwick.

The scheme combines a modern office complex with six newly built industrial units, offering high-quality space for businesses seeking to establish or expand their presence in the area.

The development was officially opened by The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Elizabeth Rowley.

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Shouksmiths to open Park 18Twenty at Murton on Thursday

Park 18Twenty holds particular significance for Shouksmiths. The site has been home to the company since 1966, when J H Shouksmith & Sons Ltd moved from Micklegate where the company had been based from the 1820s. The old offices were demolished in 2024, to make way for Park 18Twenty.

The name Park 18Twenty pays tribute to the company’s founding year, reflecting both its heritage and its continued investment in the future of the region.

During the opening, Director Richard Shouksmith thanked the Civic Party, in particular Cllr Rowley for his support in his capacity as Councillor for the Osbaldwick and Derwent ward. He then went on to map out the heritage of Shouksmiths from 1820 to today.

A statement from the Football Association confirmed: “Due to alterations to the 2026-27 football calendar, next season’s Premier League will begin over the weekend of Saturday 22 August, and Wembley Stadium connected by EE is unavailable on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August due to pre-planned concerts.”

9.59pm: McCullagh arrives at Ms McNally’s house in Lurgan and makes a 10-minute 999 call. He tells emergency services “Please come as soon as you can, she’s pregnant, she’s cold”. He is asked by the call handler: “Is the patient breathing?” and responds tearfully “No, she’s gone”, adding “there’s blood everywhere”. He tells the call handler Ms McNally was 15 weeks’ pregnant.

Coronation Street fans are worried about Bernie Winter following a series of “gross” scenes that aired on Monday night’s episode of the world’s longest-running TV soap

Coronation Street fans are worried about Bernie Winter following a series of “gross” scenes. The cafe waitress, played by Jane Hazlegrove, ended up crossing paths with Mal Roper on an ill-fated night out earlier this year, and she ended up in his hotel room, where they shared a kiss.

Almost immediately after they shared an evening taking drugs in his hotel room, he began working alongside her at Roy’s Rolls as an electrician, and she ended up spending some time in prison when he was mysteriously attacked in the night. Bernie later worked out that her long-lost son Kit, a police officer, was behind the attack, but hasn’t said anything, seemingly aware of the trouble it could land him in.

As the world’s longest-running TV soap continued on Monday evening, Bernie and her husband Dev, who has forgiven Bernie fort her infidelity, returned home from their holiday only to find Mal walking the cobbles once more, having enjoyed a miraculous recovery that had him on life support mere weeks ago.

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Dev instantly reminded Mal that he wasn’t welcome, but he shot back: “How nice of you to ask how I am after my recent attack and life-saving treatment. They still haven’t caught who did it, you know.”

Later that day, Mal casually walked into the café and stirred up trouble as soon as he saw Bernie and Dev. Bernie said: “We don’t wanna be rude, Mal, but wouldn’t it be best if you didn’t hang out round here any more?” It was then that Dev raged: “No, you are hanging around my wife like a bad smell. And I’ve had enough!” Mal continued to ask them how their holiday was, but Dev chased Mal out of the cafe.

Mal said: “You can’t treat me like this,” and feigned injury when Dev ushered him out of the way. All of this took place in front of DS Lisa Swain, who immediately read the situation, and simply warned Dev not to do it again. Fans instantly reacted the the worrying development with Mal, and shared their concerns for Bernie.

One wrote on Reddit: “Bernie and Mal…frankly that is just gross and sensationalist. Gross because it comes out of nowhere. Gross because it is not a part of a larger character or plot development or an issue being explored. Gross because the story is completely unmoored from anything or anyone else in the show…

“So it all comes down to someone deciding to show a loud-mouthed, middle-aged woman being sexually humiliated for the sake of it! Like, why?! Why?! Ugh, just ugh. I’m up for an outrageous soap plot as much as anyone but at least make it grounded in something likely for the character OR developed as part of a long-running plot.

Another wrote: “I can’t blame Dev for confronting Mal and making him leave Roy’s. He wants you to leave his wife alone,” and a third said: “Bernie and Deb have arrived home! Sucks Mal is out and had to ruin that. He needs to leave but nope he’s going to stick around still”

Actress Jane Hazlegrove, who joined Corrie as Bernie in 2019 but previously had a short stint as Sue Clayton in the 1990s, recently explained that her alter-ego had been left “absolutely terrified” by Mal.

She revealed: “She’s really quite frightened, and she’s been on the end of an aggressive, violent man a lot. So this is absolutely terrifying, she’s in deep now. It is really dangerous.” She added: “She’s made herself vulnerable—somehow she thinks she can kind of pull down her armour. That’s her superpower, the way she has this hard shell that keeps her safe and. But this is really bad.

“He’s unhinged. Then she also then discovers that someone has cut her head out of her wedding picture. I mean, this is stalker territory, he’s been in the house!” Mal attempted to kiss Bernie when they first met, and she tried to keep this from Dev before deciding that coming clean was the best option. Jane added: “Bernie decides Dev must know the truth in order to remove Mal’s power over her.

“Then everything is laid out, isn’t it? She’s being fully transparent finally, it has taken weeks and weeks on end, but it is the only option over to her. She knows that if Dev knows what Mal has been up to, it will all be okay.” She added: “It takes away Mal’s power, he’s got no power whatsoever. Because that’s what he’s been blackmailing her with.”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X.

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East Riding of Yorkshire Council were granted the orders against the homes in Kirkgate Mews and Southback Lane in Bridlington by Beverley Magistrate’s Court on Friday (March 20).

Each home was owned by the council, who said it was “continuing” to work with Humberside Police to ensure the area was safe to live in.

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The council said that allegations arising from the property in Southback Lane included stabbings, threats of violence and damages to resident’s property, domestic violence, drug dealing and organised crime groups who used the property.

In Kirkgate Mews, reports included drug dealing, rowdiness, large dogs kept off the lead and not muzzled, and a large quantity of cars left in “severe disrepair” in the communal car park.

The council said activities at both properties had had a “detrimental” affect on locals, particularly older residents who felt “unsafe” and “intimidated”.

A council spokesperson said: “Many reported to have feared reprisals for speaking out and were unwilling to give named testimony.”

The order for the home in Southback Lane bans anyone from entering the property for three months, other than the resident and two named people, officers from the council, police, other emergency services or utility providers.

Anyone entering the home in Kirkgate Mews within the three-month period, aside from police, the council or emergency services, could be fined, imprisoned, or both, police have said.

Served by the council’s anti-social behaviour team on March 20, the order will run until June 19.

Council cabinet member for communities and public protection, Cllr Lyn Healing, said: “We are dedicated to supporting safe and welcoming communities and taking firm action against anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to work with Humberside Police to ensure that the East Riding remains a good place to live for all residents.”

More information about how to report antisocial behaviour can be found at  www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/crime-and-community-safety/anti-social-behaviour.

Anti-social behaviour can also be reported to the council by calling 01482 396380.

It is “outrageous” that a convicted fraudster tracked down by Sky News in Tenerife is still on the run, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.

Pamela Gwinnett isolated 89-year-old Joan Green from her family during the COVID-19 pandemic, convinced Joan to give her lasting power of attorney, then raided her life savings.

Gwinnett spent almost £300,000 of retired accountant Joan’s money on Botox, expensive meals and mortgages on properties she owned.

She fled to Tenerife and did not attend her trial, but was given a six-year prison sentence in her absence last year for theft and fraud by abuse of position.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who is the local MP for Ms Green’s family, told Sky News: “Here she was, found guilty, sentenced to six years.

“What a way to have your sentence, in the sun in Tenerife! Lap of luxury.

“Living in an apartment, taking the sun every day, going out for meals.”

He added: “People will be asking – why? I’m also asking why. That extradition order needs to take place now. Enough is enough. Let’s get on with it.”

The Speaker said he fears there could be other victims out there.

“My worry is, how many others have also lost money in the same way?” he said.

He added: “She was a master of manipulation of vulnerable people. So please, if there are other people out there, do come forward. I don’t think this is a one-off. I hope it is, but I suspect not.”

Joan, from Chorley, Lancashire, died in 2022.

Gwinnett, 63, fled to Tenerife in breach of her bail conditions while awaiting trial and has been living in a picturesque seaside apartment in the south of the island for the last 11 months.

When Sky News caught up with her, despite her conviction, she claimed Joan’s family had taken the money, adding: “They have made me a scapegoat.”

The Speaker said it was “appalling” that Lancashire Police had initially dismissed Joan’s family’s concerns as a civil matter.

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When presented with the same evidence – gaping holes in Joan’s bank accounts – Greater Manchester Police launched a criminal investigation.

Lancashire Police said: “We can confirm that in March 2023 we were contacted in relation to an allegation of fraud.

“Our handling of that allegation is currently subject to an ongoing complaint which is with our Professional Standards Department and for that reason it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”

The Speaker thanked Sky News for our investigation into Gwinnett.

“These people are scamming vulnerable people,” he said. “Without you, we wouldn’t be highlighting this case nationally and internationally”.