Lewis Edwards : "Paedophile ex-PC loses life sentence appeal"

– PC Lewis Edwards life sentence appeal
– Paedophile loses appeal sentence.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

A former South Wales Police officer, Lewis Edwards, who was convicted of grooming over 200 underage girls, has lost his appeal to change his sentence. Edwards, who encouraged girls aged between 10 and 16 to send him explicit images and videos over Snapchat, was handed 13 life sentences with a minimum term of 12 years for the most serious charges.

Despite his appeal, three judges at the Court of Appeal upheld his original sentence, stating that Edwards had a “settled, perverse sexual interest in young girls” and had minimized the harm caused to his victims. The judges emphasized that it was impossible to determine when or if the risk posed by Edwards would cease, leading to the decision to maintain his sentence.

Details of the Offences

Edwards, residing in Heol Ty Cribwr, Cefn Glas, Bridgend, pleaded guilty to 161 offences, including blackmail, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and making indecent images of children. He used social media platforms to pose as a teenage boy and coerce his victims into sending him explicit content.

Many of his victims suffered severe emotional distress, with some self-harming, feeling suicidal, and developing anxiety and depression due to Edwards’ actions. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke described Edwards’ behavior as “cruel and sadistic,” noting that his status as a serving police officer aggravated the severity of the offences.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Edwards, who joined the police force in January 2021 and resigned during the criminal proceedings, had contact with his victims while on duty. Despite the gravity of his crimes, Edwards refused to attend his sentencing and the recent appeal hearing.

Susan Ferrier, representing Edwards, argued that life imprisonment should be a last resort for a young, emotionally immature individual like Edwards. However, Roger Griffiths from the Crown Prosecution Service defended the original sentence, stating that it was appropriate given the circumstances of the case.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Court of Appeal upheld Lewis Edwards’ sentence, considering it necessary due to the severity and impact of his crimes. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who abuse their positions of authority for malicious purposes.

Following the sentencing, Snapchat implemented additional protections for under-18s to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance and awareness when using social media platforms.