Huw Edwards got me thinking…

[Friendsfestival]

I read that Edwards received the photos without asking for them, then deleted them, then asked that similar ones not be sent again.

I don’t know if that’s true, and since none of us were at his trail listening to all the evidence I don’t want to get into the specifics of it. But my understanding is that if those were the facts he is still guilty of ‘making indecent images’. Does anyone know if that’s correct?

if it is, is that not quite scary? So I could be sent such images without my consent, delete them, ask not to be sent more, and be guilty of ‘making indecent images’ as well as the stigma that comes with being a convicted paedophile.

AIBU to think that the law is wrong here? Obviously victims need protecting but I’m not sure this does that.

No because you would just go to the police and tell them you had been sent them and they would just check your phone, they know that things save automatically, they delete from everywhere when checking your phone

I can't believe you would just delete that sort of thong without informing the police

Yes I didn’t know that was the law so I’d have deleted and blocked

if it is, is that not quite scary? So I could be sent such images without my consent, delete them, ask not to be sent more, and be guilty of ‘making indecent images’ as well as the stigma that comes with being a convicted paedophile

Well I’m not creating a collection of “jailbait” porn so I guess the chances of me being sent anything illegal are slim. Most people would report it to the police if they were 🤷‍♀️

well I know now - I didn’t know before and thank goodness it has never happened to me

You didn’t know it was against the law to have a video of a 7 year old being sexually assaulted?
And it wouldn’t have occurred to you that a person who would have and send you this sort of content was doing anything wrong?

There wasn’t a trial snd no evidence was presented, he pleaded guilty.

It wouldn’t have occurred to you to report it to the police so they could, you know, do something about it? The image is evidence that a crime has been committed? So you call the police?

It's not about knowing or not. Why would you not go to the police if you received pictures of children being sexually abused?

Cases only go to trial if the person charged pleads not guilty

Obviously it’s wrong it’s horrendous but the way my mind works I’d have just been shocked and horrified, deleted it, blocked the person.if known to me I’d have said never speak to me again then blocked them if a stranger just blocked . That’s just what I’d have done but now I know the rules

So because a random stranger I have never met and I have no who they were, sent me an image of an animal being sexually abused I should reevaluate my lifestyle? You do realise anyone can send anything to your phone.

The apologists are acting like the person recieving the pictures is a passive recipient. They chatted online to another person for over a year viewing 100s of photos.

So you’re confirming that you didn’t know raping a seven year old is a crime?

I think actually some posters are being very nasty and harsh with me. I have ASD. I don’t know about the rules around this kind of thing as it’s not a subject I think about like most normal people. I’ve simply said that prior to reading these threads I didn’t know and that my actions would have been delete and block I didn’t know it had to be reported to the police. Having a go at me for not knowing that is unkind. I’ve never even been in the situation and hope to never be so I’ve done nothing wrong

Stop being ridiculous of course I know that but I wouldn’t have been personally responsible and if prior to knowing the rules I’d have received an image I’d have deleted it . Now I know to report

It is highly likely that Huw would have received some form of training that makes it very clear that as a journalist (but it affects anyone), he had a statutory duty to report any suspected safeguarding concerns.

So yes, he is guilty of just asking not to receive any illegal material and failing to disclose that he had received these pictures and videos. It is correct that he should be convicted for this legal failure.

But does the law actually say "you will not be liable if you report to the police" (and then do you have to go straight away, within a few days, what if abroad when get them?)

As I think we're just assuming "it would be okay" and the cps won't prosecute.

But it's a strict liability crime so in theory if you do it, even without intent, you are guilty. Like not wearing a seat belt.

There is a potential defence if you didn't solicit the image/delete it quickly.

Huw Edwards didn't attempt to use this defence- why was that?

The communication was found on Alex Williams' device not HE,

Edwards phone was 'stolen' on the evening of the Queen's death before he was investigated, so any searched phone was bought after the period of this WhatsApp communication with Williams.

Abroad has police stations.

This is what has confused me too obviously now I know it’s what you have to do but it’s not very clear is it

You just ring the police up if you can't get in, that's probably what most people do anyway. The cps aren't going to prosecute you for receiving something that you have reported , didn't ask for and haven't been searching for

Great to hear some actual real life testimony on this rather than just people providing hypothetical scenarios they think are going to result in them being locked up for being a peadophile - thanks for sharing👍

I deal with far more cases like this a week then people would imagine and I've never seen anything on the indictment or in court records where a person has been prosecuted for receiving an image out of the blue and reporting it

Stop being ridiculous of course I know that but I wouldn’t have been personally responsible and if prior to knowing the rules I’d have received an image I’d have deleted it . Now I know to report.

But wouldn’t you have had any inclination to think the people generating these images should be bought to the attention of the police?

He didn't delete them, they were found on his phone.