James O'Brien reacts as Huw Edwards is not sent to jail over indecent images of children | LBC

[@merkuree]

I am 28 and I was abused as a kid. The word "sickening" gets thrown around a lot these days, but the refusal to prosecute these people is nothing short of absolutely revolting. They steal people's souls and get away with it.

[@dianecameron137]

exactly the victims are the ones that get the life sentence it turns my stomach that the courts let these sick things on the streets cant call them men just sick

[@Tony-vf9zu]

He didn't get away with it though

[@notyourordinarygran]

​@Tony-vf9zu he wasn't jailed as he should have been. Say "hurty words" on the Internet and you get banged up super fast.

[@stormyweathers9887]

He's not the first. He won't certainly be the last!

[@LaliladaAnamina]

I’m standing with you on this

[@wonderfullife3108]

I hate it when they play the mental health card too. An insult to people who go through genuinely traumatic experiences and challenges but never stoop so sickenly low and still take responsibility for their actions.

[@AndreS_22246]

Very well said. Hope you’re doing well mate 👊

[@HTownCharlieBrown]

I hear you...but...having those thoughts about children is unnatural and twisted. There's definitely a mental aspect to it. Doesn't mean there shouldn't be heavy consequences.

[@grahamepigney8565]

But mental health is a significant factor. Why should mental illness be disregarded?

[@Kat-k6e]

It's the worst excuse to hear from abusive men and degrades all their victims who have been groomed and abused by them. Predators.

[@JamesWilsonMD]

@@Kat-k6e And women, easy to just just assume its men.

[@emilianoborselli9787]

Child abuse should be treated as both crime against humanity and against the nation.

[@dcarter6738]

Regardless of the perpetrators skin color

[@Tony-vf9zu]

Why

[@ScruffyTubbles]

So says the man in the pub. It is both.

[@RajuAhmed-sy7ys]

Should be a capital punishment where it’s a black and white case.

[@RajuAhmed-sy7ys]

@@dcarter6738imagine if Huw was not white - the punishment is worse and the media calls for capital punishment - only due to the race.

[@derry3344ii]

For me , abusing a child is up there with the worst of crimes. Suspended sentence is an awful outcome for the victims 😢

[@RiggedUpandReady]

I can’t name a worse crime than this

[@SensibleMoniker]

James O'brien got pretty chummy with Carl Beech. I wonder if he's still in contact now he's in jail

[@SC-pm1pg]

I was abused as a child- I'm now 41 and have 4 children of my own, I have dealt with insomnia, low self esteem, anxiety, and so much more most of my life-it has affected the way I parent my children-I am over protective to the point sometimes I think I'm damaging their independent growth. How is it fair that these monsters get away with killing someone's soul, ruining their entire life

[@carolwocker26]

I understand I know how you feel I’m 60 now and still suffer from my abuse as a child.

[@tehf00n]

Completely understand as a target of it myself. We homeschool, won't use childcare, don't trust anyone. I'm still medicated 40 years later.

[@ibbydread6092]

But Edwards didn't take the pictures himself did he? Surely the kind of trauma you refer to was created by the photographer in the first place right?

[@tehf00n]

@@ibbydread6092 someone who procures the pictures are as bad as the physical abusers because they induce this sharing of content and normalise it amongst their own community. I won't dare you to do this, but if you have ever seen C.P. (which I unfortunately did as an I.T. engineer) then you will know it breaks you. Some things cannot be unseen. In every picture is a victim. In every video is a victim. And anyone who necessitates the needs for distribution are as much the abusers as those taking the pictures.

[@Tad1945]

@@ibbydread6092Apparently some were young as 7 years old 🤢.

[@unklekirky]

Anyone caught with images of child abuse should be jailed

[@ephebo2028]

17 yr olds are inocent of course satbin lil kids in Southport

[@gilllarr9285]

@@unklekirky where would you put them? Believe it or not, Hew Edward’s is at the lower end of the scale, people have done much worse and not gone to prison

[@jermainelong1843]

The pattern continues; a playful slap on the wrist for the vilest and most damaging crime. This corruption goes right to the top.

[@jog9395]

What kind is message does this send . This is one of the worst crimes imaginable.

[@WritusAndronicus]

Thanks so much, James, for addressing this story in such a frank and responsible, but powerful manner.

[@AlecSharratt101]

How you can avoid jail for this is beyond my understanding. People go to prison for simply having drugs on them, yet this guy walks among us. Privilege at its finest.

[@katemason9457]

Thank you for covering this. Thank you for speaking. As a survivor of abuse who has been advised that the case would not be worth pursuing.talking about it makes a difference.

[@krob2327]

He’s saying that offenders don’t deserve jail. He’s mocking you

[@GerwynDavies-vy7gk]

Hi James. As a father of 3 daughters and grandfather of 5 granddaughters I was literally in tears listening to you talking on this subject. As you said, it is a very difficult topic to discuss and even think about. I don't think 'normal' people can begin to comprehend how people can do this to children. I think the authorities who investigate this type of crime must see things on a daily basis that we don't want to think about and, over time, it must take a toll on them. As to why very few perpetrators are not imprisoned I can only think that , as you said, this is only really highlighted when there is a famous person involved or in extreme cases. However difficult to discuss perhaps it needs to be given widespread attention so more people would make their views clear and pressure the government to introduce compulsory prison sentences for this crime.

[@punkaholia]

97% are never convicted. When they are, avoiding jail is common. When I came forward against my uncle I was released with a warning after 2 hours of interrogation. 2 cousins were shamed into leaving. When another was finally listened to, my uncle got 8 months. That's it. Paedophiles rarely do time and when they do, they do less time than a non-violent drug user.

[@nifralo2752]

No one gose to jail for recreational drug use. This isnt the states.

[@notyourordinarygran]

My schoolfriend was murdered by someone who had just served 6 months for SA against an 11 year old. Reading up recently, they now think he was a serial killer who wasn't caught.

[@SuperMcbonez]

​@@nifralo2752 Being high on drugs isn't illegal. possession and dealing are. problem is anyone who uses a lot risks being charged with intent to supply which often end with a custodial sentence. Many states have far more progressive laws than the UK. Cannabis is widely legal and psilocybin is starting to get decriminalised.​

[@ummfatimah789]

A crime against another human will always go unpunished compared to a crime against the government

[@claredelamer7940]

Build more jails. I realised when I spoke about the abuse I was suffering at the hands of my adoptive'mother', I was SOILING the listener's day. When I told my adoptive 'father' he threatened ME. In my experience most people do not want to hear about it. It began when I was a toddler. All these abusers must go to jail.

[@jacquelinemosforth8280]

Very eloquently put. They don’t want to know because then they have to do something about it, or accept that they were somehow party to it. Better to sweep it under the carpet. And then if you speak out years later, they ask why you didn’t speak up? You only have to look at historic abuse cases. People actually blame the victims of making stuff up to get money when it’s a celeb.

[@AramasG]

Child abuse is violence. Paying for images of children being abused is directly causing violent harm to those children. The fact people get away with this with such light sentences (if any) is abhorrent and shows how rotten our justice system is to not treat crimes of this nature more seriously.

[@beadle111gaming]

What i find disgusting is how crimes like this against children are widely seen as the worst in society, the general public despise them, people see most murderers more favourably. Yet when sentencing they are usually let off or given some of the lightest sentencing around, why is that?

[@MikeMelia51]

Listening from NY. Keep up the tough stuff

[@brianorakpohit]

It is a crime which by its nature has immeasurable ramifications. I work in Mental Health, and I can tell you now, it ruins lives, and sadly, but unsurprisingly, is the biggest impact on victim suicidality. As for the shamefully inadequate punishment for perpetrators, I can only assume the powers that be are worried for themselves.

[@ffsytube]

Child abuse sentences have always been a joke, got nothing to do with prison places. Makes you wonder, who set the sentencing guidelines and why haven't they been reviewed

[@MarjorieDuncan-lk7lz]

Perhaps everyone should email Lord Chief Justice office now to request that sentence & judge to be reviewed as that judge considered the charge not serious enough to be sent to a higher court

[@ffsytube]

@MarjorieDuncan-lk7lz This isn't a one off, Google Sean Hogg Glasgow

[@ScruffyTubbles]

@@MarjorieDuncan-lk7lz Not true. The Court had sufficient sentencing powers. There were four charges - this would mean a maximum of 1 year in prison. The Sentencing Guidelines say the starting point for Cat A images is 1 Year and the offence range 26 week to 3 years. There was plenty of scope for sentencing in the Mags before. aDJ.

[@DavidZ4-gg3dm]

Starmer had a long career in law before going into politics, so he won't criticise it.

[@ScruffyTubbles]

@MarjorieDuncan-lk7lz BTW seriousness only plays a part in whether there is sufficient sentencing powers and here there were sufficient sentencing powers.

[@ScottsBigCountry]

this country is an embarrassment.

[@scottreid1677]

Why?

[@ScottsBigCountry]

@@scottreid1677 er because it’s allowing a famous dude who’s guilty of these awful crimes to walk, basically free. Don’t agree?

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@ScottsBigCountry Do not feed the monosyllabic troll

[@scottreid1677]

​@@ScottsBigCountry So that makes the country an embarrassment 😅😅😅

[@PedroPanzer]

@@scottreid1677 It's disgusting.

[@CJ16055]

Most powerful NSPCC ad i ever seen: Dont tell your mummy about this If that makes you feel uncomfortable imagine how she feels

[@chad0x]

She actually said, "Do all little girls do this with their daddy?" Which is *way* worse than what you wrote.

[@CJ16055]

@@chad0x Yeh, but that wasnt an advert by NSPCC was it? What I said was

[@notyourordinarygran]

This is exactly what my stepdad said to me. And, "it would hurt your mum so much". I was 11 years old and my mum was still in hospital following my brother's birth. I didn't say anything until 16. I am now 66 years old and she has never believed me...I was 'mistaken'.😢

[@DBLFC321]

@@notyourordinarygranit’s so tragic already but then even worse when the kids aren’t believed when they find the bravery to speak up :(

[@CJ16055]

@@notyourordinarygran I am so sorry. I hope you know it wasn't your fault despite your mother's psychological need to dismiss the very possibility of it being true.

[@raymondweller1430]

BOTH THE GIVER AND THE TAKER OF THESE VILE DISGUSTING IMAGES, SHOULD HAVE GOT A LENGTHY JAIL SENTENCE.

[@simonfenton56]

Bravo, James. You spoke where others will not. You have my respect. Justice must change.

[@lena-Ramone]

Is this your first experience of james 😂

[@simonfenton56]

@@lena-Ramone ... Third 🥉

[@dianelukeman526]

Because of this he will think he has got away with it , I hope his wife and any family do not want to know him.

[@friedaelizabethchorlton8654]

James you are very brave to highlight the baseness of what is going on in our society. Why do privileged people get off with a suspended sentence? The damaged children have a life time sentence to live with the nightmare. James I don't know why we don't send these people to jail . I love you for your bravery and truth.

[@Taylor23890]

I also often wonder is it also because the children being abused are sometimes the opposite end of the spectrum, low income , sparse furniture in house , struggling to keep up in school ,that they’re sadly judge as oh well they won’t amount to anything so it don’t matter as much 😢

[@stevelondonse23]

I used to work in public protection. There are thousands of offenders who view such images in much greater number (and more of the most serious images) than Edwards. The majority receive community and/or suspended sentences. Edwards' sentence was unaffected by privilege and was consistent with other sentences. The real question is whether society finds the sentencing guidelines are acceptable and, if not, how many more prisons we need.

[@graemebuchan8142]

Sicophant.

[@philbrainy2399]

Brave? What doesn’t he confront his mate Keir starmer for letting Jimmy Saville off

[@Taylor23890]

@@stevelondonse23 Makes you really want to throw up

[@MotherofAllMothers]

Sentencing guidelines must be changed

[@Taylor23890]

We knew it was going to be a slap on the wrist as it was always dealt with a magistrates court

[@wh6989]

Accordingly...bbc celebrities vs the rest

[@krob2327]

That would upset Pakistanis

[@verystripeyzebra]

​@@krob2327and white males in their 20s, the most prolific groomers. But you won't mention that will you. All victims deserve justice, not just the victims of perpetrators you don't like.

[@krob2327]

@@verystripeyzebra all people deserve to live in peace. Open borders for Richmond on thames. It’s only fair seen as Telford etc have that too

[@salavocato7616]

How in the world can we allow this practice continue without accountability....the abuse of our most innocent for profit is just beyond comprehension

[@josephwright6154]

Huw Edwards will defo have to watch his back for the rest of his miserable life.

[@StationDruid]

When the right wing shouts about a two-tier justice system, this is where it really applies: those who have and those who do not. Rich vs. poor.

[@adamlee3772]

If the right wing really cared, they would have pressured their hero Little Tommy Ten Names to protest at Edwards trial. But he is still sunning himself.

[@ABUoSUFYAN]

​@@adamlee3772i was thinking the same, where are the riots now

[@clemfandango619]

​@ABUoSUFYAN outside the BBC offices? Maybe you have information the far right does not. Were these racially motivated atrocities like Southport?

[@MetalSamantha]

None of those rioting gave en effing toss about kids. None of them. Not even one

[@Dazzerthegooner666]

The sentencing for child abuse generally is terrible in this country rich or poor, absolute disgrace, it’s up there with the worst of crimes

[@ibexdnb2879]

This is still definitely 2 tier justice. He is in the club just like Jimmy was. It's no surprise he got off lightly... Sickening.

[@peznino1]

Dumbo, did you not just listen to the James' piece.

[@jmas1219]

No. The person who sent him the images was neither rich nor famous but he wasn't jailed either. The judge followed the sentencing guidelines rigorously - Edwards didn't walk because of WHO he was, he got off because EVERYONE committing this crime to this level walks.

[@TonyP_Yes-its-Me]

My brother was given a bound copy of a years worth of our local newspapers, dated from the 1950s. Whilst looking at them, we spotted a story of a local man who had been sentenced to prison for just six months for child molestation. So the idea that we were tougher in the old days, is frankly a myth.

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

Absolutely. It's always been a joke. Anyone who thinks paedos and rapists have ever been sentenced approximately are living in a fantasy world. That's probably part of why it's so prevalent in our society, it's not taken seriously and often the judges treat the perpetrators with more sympathy than the victims.

[@Brentboy111]

Heartbreaking. “Do all girls do this with their daddies?” As a survivor,these people are evil and need to spend time in prison. Sociopathic behaviour shouldn’t be excused as “A one off”.

[@johngabris9690]

Huw most likely knows many in high places who do the same so he has a hold over them!!! So they protect each other.

[@ftumschk]

The person who sent Edwards the images, and who owned a whole lot more - and worse - was a nobody, with no "people in high places" to protect him... and he too got a suspended sentence.

[@jujutrini8412]

This kind of lenient sentence is the norm for this type of criminal. They can’t all hold something over someone! Unfortunately the sad fact is that children are not valued in our society and the courts/legislature do not care about them.

[@ValeriePhillips-lp3mx]

Exactly, spot on. That's why he was confidence on his way to court and on his way out of court. I felt this was already done and dusted privately but they had to show some of the content to the public ie show him going to court.

[@ftumschk]

@@ValeriePhillips-lp3mx Confident? I thought he looked terrible and, according to reporters in the courtroom, he was frequently twitchy and nervous. He could easily have gone to prison, and he knew it. I wish people would stop cooking up conspiracy theories.

[@CardinalNous]

@@ftumschk Weird you are protecting him. Can we please take your details

[@jayneearl2248]

I am 55 years old and was given to men for money by my mother. Taking Polaroid photos cost extra. I have lived a miserable existence ever since, I have a personality disorder and Complex PTSD. I would have rather I had been murdered than left to live with it.

[@terryhaircastle5702]

I'm so sorry to hear what you had to go through. Nobody should ever have to survive that, but you somehow did. That's testament to your strength, but you also deserve happiness and I truly do hope it finds you if it hasn't already. I'm sending all my warmest wishes to you for a brighter, happier future.

[@lisasteadman2546]

First time I've ever agreed with anything James has ever said, well done for highliting this.

[@dwdei8815]

Congratulations to JoB for devoting his airtime to such an unpleasant but important topic. I know I couldn't - with so many shiny topics to hide behind as a radio host. I applaud his courage. As for the suspended sentence - I do not know all the legal ins and outs but this judicial leniency for a serious and harmful crime makes me deeply queasy.

[@danielconroy6695]

Hiding behind mental health issues is a disgrace, these people can't go back in to society, jail for life with no visitors. They have evidence, he is guilty, this isn't a difficult one to rule on

[@paulherlihy9290]

I feel so sorry for Police officers, usually lady officers, who have to trawl through the most lurid and grotesque child abuse imagery. Just trying to acquire evidence on these decreped men before bringing them before the courts. That takes dedication and unparalleled motivation.

[@B-Dubya1]

Lady officers? Do you mean policewomen? Since the force is about 80+ male, I'm pretty sure the majority of these cases are investigated by men. Do you think police MEN, who have families, don't get affected having to sort through these images?

[@sushantrajput6920]

Most of the police are abusing their power towards vulnerable people . They are not innocent either.

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

I'd imagine a lot of them need a lot of counselling after the vile things they see. I certainly wouldn't be able to do that job. It must affect them for the rest of their lives.

[@paulherlihy9290]

@@faithpearlgenied-a5517 I has to. Any ordinary person cannot comprehend for anymore than 3 seconds the type of things they may see and remember it's children we are talking about. The most precious and innocent of human beings. If ever there was a need for (I don't know) robots or artificial intelligence devices to do a job. Then it is this.

[@frankiez7414]

Someone has to do it. What’s worse is the children going through it of course. Not doing it would be like turning a blind eye. I was a firefighter and seen some awful things but I was helping people and wanted to.

[@happycamper90596]

A sentence like this only serves to enbolden other monsters. Disgusting

[@ginskimpivot753]

Respectfully, his sentence is lifelong and also affects his family. Jail merely puts a burden on the taxpayer and takes him out of a social environment he would be ostracised from anyway. Jail also infers him serving his punishment and resetting his life on release with a clean start. Where there _IS_ a more cogent argument to be had, is why social medial opinions resulted in jail sentences, but more heinous social crimes only get suspended? That makes idiots like O'Brien look rather dim in regards to 2-tier justice, which is clearly an evidence based fact.

[@happycamper90596]

@@ginskimpivot753 A 2 year suspended sentence and 25 sessions of rehab is hardly life long. Your logic seems to suggest that no paedophiles should ever be given a prison sentence due to it being a burden on the tax payer. CSA Abusers destroy Children's lives , each time their image is shared its the equivalent to being abused all over again for the child. I think that deserves at the minimum a prison sentence ! but clearly you do not. Social Media 'Opinions' that incite Violence absolutely should be punished but this topic isn't about that is it ?

[@ginskimpivot753]

@@happycamper90596 *_"Social Media 'Opinions' that incite Violence absolutely should be punished but this topic isn't about that is it?"_* I agree, where it is shown that such comments lead to actual harm. So if paedophiles can have suspended sentences where their cravings generate supply so that their cravings are satisfied, thus causing serious harm to children _ipso facto,_ then there is indeed a two-tier justice system. Put some words in the right order in English on a web page and you go to jail. Create, propagate or finance child harm imagery which absolutely causes harm and you can have a suspended sentence.

[@FatRonaldo1]

Huw Edward’s was sentenced according to sentencing guidelines. The guidelines are the problem and should be increase 10 fold

[@lw3646]

Agree.

[@seanrooney3446]

It's the same reason that a man who abuses a child for years gets 1 charge, instead if a charge for every single abuse.

[@deirdreloughran8258]

Protect our children at all costs

[@krob2327]

Difficult in northern cities and telford

[@aidanoleary636]

Sweet Jesus James. That line you mentioned from the little girl has sent shock waves through me like nothing has ever done before. I have a little girl and to think there are animals out there, most especially their fathers that are willing to do this and this that want to see and listen to this is blowing my mind. Lock them up and throw away the keys. How dare they prey on our most precious and vulnerable kids…. I can’t even think about this. I’m horrified to my core.

[@benscox]

I thought it would be 8 years. But to find out is was nothing made be sick and so angry

[@RickyStevens94]

That ‘banal’ phrase James shared there brought tears to my eyes. Just horrific.

[@fabiennemitchell2371]

What an emotive, tear-jerking comment from a little girl!

[@keithwilson1554]

In Australia we had an inquiry into Pedophiles decades ago. It exposed many people in the Police some of whom were charged but the Inquiry came to an abrupt end when Judges started to be named ,one of whom committed suicide.

[@johnbowles5399]

The 'Family Murders' springs to mind. That was a definite cover-up.

[@madaknevarski6478]

one rule for us another for the rich and famous.

[@gilllarr9285]

@@madaknevarski6478 Is that what you like to think?

[@deathstar-pg3jt]

@@gilllarr9285 Because when a punishment is a fine in law? That means it only applys to poor people. Because money means nothing to the rich?

[@gilllarr9285]

@@deathstar-pg3jt Not as far as paedophilia in this country is concerned

[@deathstar-pg3jt]

@@gilllarr9285 So would you be ok if all fines in law would be 10p ? Do you think that would be an effective punishment to stop the crime taking place?

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

It truly beggars belief that people convicted of child abuse can avoid prison. What can the judges be thinking? Do they really believe that it's a minor offence? What way are their minds working?

[@atlasgabriel5461]

This case is proof that if you have a high enough profile and money in the bank that you can get away with literally anything. He should be in jail. It’s disgusting that he’s got away with committing these kinds of crimes. Our “justice” system is broken!

[@LienLeon]

No it's not. That's the whole point. He wasn't treated differently, these beasts don't get sent to jail.

[@RDCFemmes]

and white.

[@SimonJohnson-uy7io]

​@@LienLeonabsolutely spot on there pal happening all over the country day in day out

[@stevelivingstone4616]

Unfortunately, this is not true, many people who commit these crimes get away with our jail time, regardless of their status. It's horrific to me, but true.

[@northwestcoast]

You clearly didn’t listen to this

[@IgweVII]

Struggling to understand why Huw's skin colour, immigration status or religion hasn't been part of the discourse so far.

[@IgweVII]

Btw James the answer to your question is because it is tolerated and widespread. Simple as that. You are more likely to go to jail for mortgage fraud.

[@chrimbus71]

because he is using the sexuality card

[@diehard21000]

Yep I agree if it was black man they would be playing the race card for the crime even when guilty ​@@IgweVII

[@Brian-om2hh]

Basically because there's not any need to. He was already held in quite high esteem by many because of his role as a newsreader, and the BBC's Royal Correspondent... Most people are already sufficiently shocked and disgusted at his behaviour...

[@IgweVII]

@@Brian-om2hh right so those factors only apply when they are people not held in high esteem?

[@suzimonkey345]

Shine the light! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@thomasp.crenshaw185]

I feel sick... this is sick.

[@KarinaArklie]

The criminal justice system stinks. 😩 😡😮

[@jawaadshahid]

5000 cases a year! That's a devastating indictment on Britain

[@alisonrichards7406]

I'm not so sure - what about countries where this would never get to court or be considered a crime? There is some honesty in having a high figure of "recognition". Think of countries where domestic violence is "part of life" and not worth reporting (as was the case in the UK until relatively recently).

[@jawaadshahid]

@alisonrichards7406 I'm sorry this is an unfalsifiable copout. There are stats for said countries. They're just as capable of gathering data. Science isn't a monopoly of european white folk. not only is underreporting also a problem here, but there's no evidence to support the assumption that underreporting would be more prevalent anywhere else. To be true to science, we should assume the same social stigmas exist here unless there's evidence to conclusively prove otherwise. You could argue that it's more likely in religiously conservative countries, but I could counter that with "what's ur evidence that religiosity itself promotes underreporting?"

[@Howsssloooki]

Why do rich people not get the same sentence as the poor person? Why are the rich allowed to always get away with it.

[@chad0x]

that's precisely what *isn't* happening. Get your listening sorted out.

[@fra1916]

U answered ur own question, simply coz they r rich

[@verystripeyzebra]

Probably better legal representation, to put forward a full defence and mitigation. Then also apologies more likely to be accepted at face value rather than from someone as alien as a working class person.

[@gilllarr9285]

@@Howsssloooki They do. And they don’t

[@gilllarr9285]

@@Howsssloooki Money has nothing to do with it, it’s the sentencing guidelines lines

[@gillianpope9039]

Anyone remember Teresa May losing the file of high profile people!!!??

[@Pollllz]

This sentence stinks. Something is very, very wrong in our society if child SA, which is what it is, isn’t punished in the toughest possible way. No matter who did it. No matter how they did it, be they creator, sender or receiver. They’re all the same crime. They are all part of the creation and perpetrators of the crime. Otherwise we aren’t, as a society, really interested in preventing and stopping child SA. I’m a survivor of child SA. It’s a constant struggle to feel like healing is possible when this repeatedly happens.

[@esecallum]

They are trying to normalize

[@edelbutler8027]

Abuse is a life sentence for a child. A person harming a child in this way should have the most severe punishment.

[@wh6989]

Well, well, well. Everyone with daddy issues and rejected by their chosen uni. What a load of

[@eds-egg]

Yes, but I notice James is often very quick to accept without question the official explanation of "mental health" when given as a motivating cause of some of the most heinous terrorist atrocities.

[@glenntaylor9144]

As a father of two little boys. It breaks my heart more than this thing used too. I think we’ve missed a chance to make an example out of someone, who was widely regarded as a national hero, for the worst sentenced for this abhorrent act!

[@James-jl4jt]

That mental health excuse is bs. I have depression and suicidal thoughts all the time but that doesn’t make me want to look at indecent pics of children

[@lonerblader85]

Well said. Hope you’re okay man 🙏

[@jacobdalton1602]

Jail time is the least people like him deserve. Spending a life in prison for somthing like that is getting off lightly

[@NoRiskNoRizq]

Let’s hear any MP call this out.

[@boredinabunkerwithjoekozak512]

When they use mental illness as a defence I lose my mind. These ‘people’ had no care for the mental, emotional and physical abuse they were causing their victims so why should their mental health play any part in their sentencing? And in the same breath, as someone who has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression, the issue with this defence for their abhorrent crimes it diminishes the struggle of everyone who is living with mental illness.

[@martinrooms3084]

It's all one big judicial club

[@drdeborahhockney5609]

I am so shocked and sickened by this sentence? What sentence? Goodness me how can that evil man live his life with the trappings of a big fat pension

[@RDCFemmes]

with what is happening in France, it should tell us that truth is far sinister and yet he got away with it.

[@cathlaurs9754]

What is happening in France?

[@leostreat3573]

First offence they said, for all we know Huw and his mates have been at this and worse for bl@@dy years. What an absolute disgrace our legal system is. These people are a danger to society.

[@punkaholia]

To everyone shocked by this outcome, look into molestation cases. This is actually more of a win than most victims see. Its more common for a victim to see jail time when they come forward rather than their abuser. You should be outraged as i am but im not shocked.

[@Dwayne3007]

We do send them to jail, but they're broke and not super rich.

[@taz09216]

Sick Country 😡

[@richardlabeja]

Unfortunately, paedophilia is rife across the whole world. The internet made this problem even worse.

[@chad0x]

This isn't limited to the UK.

[@glasgirlinoz]

I think this crime is ao leniently punished because its pervasive in every institution every level of government, and every level of the judiciary and has done for generations.

[@mattyr40]

Because hurty words on social media are far more dangerous. 🤪🤪🤪

[@verystripeyzebra]

Get your facts straight. Encouraging attacks on a hotel at a time when it was likely people would act on that, is not hurty words. It is incitement.

[@WhatInTheDeepestShadeOfFeck]

I've been sitting here for several minutes with my head in my hands whilst and after listening to this. It's harrowing, and I'm not even a parent.

[@um931]

Hide behind mental health and other personal issues. Perfect damage limitation job.

[@ScottZ370]

By extension the failure to prosecute people properly who are in possession of such imagery aids the sick people who create them.

[@edenshard1973]

Honestly, I believe this crime isn't punished as severely because it happens so high up the chain in elite circles.

[@jmas1219]

No. It is a crime that happens across all income and social levels. You just don't hear about it when John Smith from the council house in Peterborough does it.

[@jarv1982]

Two tier reporting and two tier reactions

[@ValeriePhillips-lp3mx]

Didn't the BBC suspended one of their presenter who was sending flirty texts on the spot although unwanted still two adults. This was an adult with children the BBC and their - moral compass when it come to children and peodophiles behaviour, is shocking to me. And the fact they hate harrys wife over peodophiles not showing Great Britian around the globe in a moral light, but tell other country about human trafficking.

[@dethrocker]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 ummm ok

[@jackryder-sw9rk]

what sort of word salad is this, doesn't make any sense

[@insideoutlifedrinks4037]

This is a two tier world, but this is has been going on for years, these people would rather send a food thief to prison, and let these kiddie fiddlers , I think there are millions and millions out there in the world

[@jeanwood6392]

Huw is a national treasure as is Jimmy Saville and Paul Gadd and all the others who walk the corridors of the BBC.

[@jonash226]

TV licence gone

[@jonathanbroadhurst963]

they dare not,,, he may open his mouth,, he knows too much about people and the system

[@BILLYBOB1-n5m]

I'd usually be quick to beleive that, but that doesn't need to be true to justify his pathetic sentence. Unfortunately, we are disgustingly weak on pedophiles in this country. So rare to see them imprisoned over images

[@sprinkz6187]

Savile knew lots of connected people (like minded friends maybe) .. he must have known the right ones seeing as he never even got a knock at the door, isnt that right Keir Starmer ??

[@priscillaroberts7945]

@@sprinkz6187 give it a rest. This has been investigated time and again and shown to be baseless.

[@sprinkz6187]

@@priscillaroberts7945 sorry, I didn't realize it was you who did the investigations personally, Oh, but it wasn't was it, thought so 🙄

[@BILLYBOB1-n5m]

@sprinkz6187 Saville is another story entirely and frankly I wouldn't trust their investigations into that.

[@ericsynchrona5495]

Free the children from these rules?

[@DPSamfish]

I strongly suspect it's because for a very very long time indeed, a significantly high number of Establishment figures actually sympathise and empathise with such crimes. Draw your own conclusions...

[@Steve_the_lion1075]

Very true

[@CardinalNous]

They are trying to normalise it. It is part of their elite culture - Read Brave New World

[@Ricimer671]

My thoughts exactly.

[@priscillaroberts7945]

@@DPSamfish public school boys stick together.

[@abruzzob]

hit the nail on the head in one, we all know who,it is part of parliamentary history,documented and proved true,even the RF ,the elite of the police ,it is all known and written of and there will be no justice from a judiciary that is all part of that same system ,with the BBC being almost like the head of the multi legged serpent that infests all our lives

[@markvega5036]

There should be a ten year minimum, no parole.

[@evelyncraig7243]

Exactly .

[@RR-sp3ey]

If Huw doesn't deserve jail then who does? People have been jailed for much less.

[@π11]

He does deserve jail without question

[@chrish9164]

@@π11 Do you think he should get MORE jail time than the guy who shouted at the Police Dog?

[@π11]

@@chrish9164 I don't think people like Huw Edwards should ever be released from prison, so yes

[@MotherofAllMothers]

Its also not up to the court of public opinion

[@DFD542]

Not gonna lie. The sentence he said that I'm not writing actually stopped me from typing at work and covered my face. No words

[@lynnelowery8435]

Suddenly ,everyone including James O Brian, and Starmer, and the media are outraged , while totally ignoring trials ,like last week, where, 7 men trafficked an 11 year old to 143 men ,who are still free. Will he have Maggie Oliver on his show? Who could give him graphic accounts of children being abused.

[@DFD542]

@@lynnelowery8435 disgusted that you haven't mentioned the huge west midlands case. Do you even care?

[@RyanPaine-d5m]

Same, that was horrible, it was like having the wind knocked out of you

[@weswheel4834]

@@StoneHardman You really think that LBC have people trawling through comments all day?? It is YT's algorithms.

[@evelyncraig7243]

​@@lynnelowery8435It's not LBC that block it it is you tube

[@iainrae6159]

Edwards, a deeply committed Christian will be seeking penance and forgiveness, as have many priests and clergy before him.

[@williamdew7143]

A great advertisement for that dying religion, then.

[@lena-Ramone]

He is not a true christian 😂

[@chrimbus71]

just like rochdale muslim gangs yeah

[@emilymccartney1593]

@@chrimbus71 Give it a rest. Did any of them claim to be religious? No.

[@TheFaro2011]

You shouting about the white peados then?​@@chrimbus71

[@justaguy9451]

We need to keep the public reminded of this 24/7, only this will stop it

[@simonfenton56]

So why WAS Jill Dando killed?

[@robertgray323]

Canadian here. What is wrong with your justice system? No one can understand this judgment. CHILD ABUSE???? No jail

[@Alpha-sf9bh]

I’m sure the judge was paid, it’s unbelievable.

[@gilllarr9285]

@@Alpha-sf9bh He wouldn’t do that job for nothing

[@voimppp572]

I'm afraid I'm right when I say, if all the men suspected, caught, charged and sentenced for this crime were in prison, there'd be no room for anyone else in our prisons.

[@tussk.]

Disclaimer: I'm a lawyer before anybody starts to wonder how I know so much about this. Currently, being in possession of CP images often carries a sentence of 6 months or less imprisonment, depending on the severity. The courts normally won't send a non violent offender to prison if the sentence is that short because it doesn't give the system time to work with them. 6 months will become 3, and it will take weeks to get them into a program. The most likely, and most common outcome, will be that Edwards will be on the SOR for a minimum of two years, have to attend monthly sessions with a case worker, and be subject to random home inspections of his internet enabled devices for the entire time he is subject to the order. Any breach of his conditions will see him back in court, but not neccessarily in prison. Further to that, he won't be allowed to make contact with or be near children under the age of 17 unless it's unavoidable in the course of everyday life. That includes family members. He will have to inform the police if he intends to go abroad or spend more than 7 days away from his home address. The police will perform safety checks on his destination, and decide if it's safe for him to be there. If not, he can't go. If his home address is too near anybody considered vulnerable, including neighbours and family members, he will have to leave. Being a convicted SO means that he will automatically be banned from travelling to many countries, including Australia and the USA. He will have to inform the police if he changes bank cards or accounts, gets a new passport or changes address. He will have to sign the SOR annually, or more frequently, at a designated police station until his supervision order ends. All of this has to be done in person. He cannot do it by mail, phone, or through a representative. Most people will agree that his sentence appears too lenient, but it is not over just because he didn't get time. As a recognisable public figure, it will be difficult for him to have any quality of life ever again. What he has done has ruined his life, his career, his relationships and friendships. A few months in jail is nothing compared to what he will have to endure on the outside.

[@emilymccartney1593]

Thanks for explaining, however the lunatics on here will challenge you, guaranteed 😂

[@FrancisDietPodcast]

Hoping he gets justice at the vigilante way

[@tussk.]

​@@FrancisDietPodcast You mean you hope somebody that else does it, but not you. Then they get 3 years in jail while Edwards is still free. What's the point of that?

[@danWMO7]

Do the source of the images get investigated in these cases?

[@tussk.]

@@danWMO7 no, at least not by the arresting officers. there is another department that deals with that.

[@juliangilbert5465]

Very well said James. CP and the way we punish it makes me so angry and sad. It needs to be talked about more.

[@bigbinji6145]

With respect to the lenient sentence , Why wasn't he fined 2 million pounds to repay taxpayers for the costs involved to prosecute this case by the authorities if the 'liberal' judge wasn't going to jail Mr Edwards

[@MetalSamantha]

100% of those caught with images of children should go to jail Every single one of them There should NEVER be even a single case that results in ANYTHING but prison

[@MrJsGotTheGoods]

The rots coming from inside the house.

[@clareowen2047]

The establishment is probably rife with these characters- of course they don’t want proper sentences for these crimes- in my opinion