Lewis Edwards, 24, a paedophile South Wales police officer who encouraged over 200 teenage girls to send him humiliating images and videos of themselves over Snapchat, has been imprisoned.
Lewis Edwards has been imprisoned for life at Cardiff Crown Court for at least twelve years.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke sentenced Lewis Edwards to 13 life terms, which also mandated a minimum of 12 years of incarceration.
Many of his victims and their families claimed she told the court that his acts had made them mistrust the police.
‘There is no doubt he has seriously tarnished the reputation of South Wales Police and policing in general, but it should equally be borne in mind that it was officers from South Wales Police who investigated this matter and brought this offender to justice.’
Lewis Edwards admitted 160 counts of child sex abuse and blackmail and had 4,500 indecent photographs of youngsters.
From November 2020 until February 2023, he messaged 210 girls between the ages of 10 and 16; photographs of 207 turned up on his devices.
Lewis Edwards joined the army in January 2021, skipping his three-day sentence trial visit.
Admitting 160 charges of child sex abuse and blackmail, he had 4,500 obscene pictures of youngsters.
2021 saw Lewis Edwards join the South Wales Police.
The court was informed that the 24-year-old threatened to explode the residence of one of his victims and shoot her parents should she continue giving him images.
His deeds caused many of his victims to suffer. One had to sleep with a hammer under her pillow; others struggled with self-harming, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and sadness.
One of the girls in a victim impact statement characterising Edwards as a “paedophile” claimed, “I was a little girl.” I feel violated, ashamed, and disgusted. I went from innocence.
Although I know the police are here to assist us, how can I call them now if I am in danger? The personnel here to keep us secure would not be someone I could rely on.
One young kid remarked, “Before all this, I was not anxious and usually smiled. Right now, I am not like that.
It has significantly impacted my life and changed my relationship with friends, as I do not want to go out. I seem to be panicking constantly.
Another female affected said: “You are supposed to trust the police, and he did this to me.” For what he has done, I despise him.
Directly addressing Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, a teenager, said: “I want my voice to be heard; this is who I am.”
“I felt I was chatting to a nice lad who liked me, complimented me, and made me feel good about myself.”
He blackmailed me by threatening my family and me since I told him I wanted no more pictures sent. I let down; terror and horror set in.
Her mother said: “His lack of regret is shown by the smile he gave us in court. I doubt he can or will have any empathy or knowledge regarding his influence on his victims.
‘Lewis Edwards, we feel nothing for you but hate, and as a family, we will never forgive you.’
UPDATE 18.12.24
The lying mother of a former police officer, Lewis Edwards, convicted to life imprisonment for child sexual assault, has received a two-year term for obstructing justice by concealing evidence in a cat’s grave.
Lewis Edwards, 25, formerly of Cefn Glas, Bridgend, utilised Snapchat to groom over 200 females online and confessed to 160 charges of child sexual exploitation and extortion involving 4,500 indecent photos of minors.
He and his mother, Paedophile enabler Rebekah Edwards, 48, were subsequently charged with obstructing justice by concealing additional evidence from the police, including interring a phone in their cat’s grave.
The mother and son received their sentences at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday.
Lewis Edwards received a sentence of two years and eight months for additional possession of indecent photographs, along with 12 months for obstructing justice.
He will serve both sentences concurrently with his existing lifetime term for child sexual abuse.
His mother received a two-year sentence, of which she is required to serve half in confinement.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke stated that Rebekah Edwards’ act warranted an immediate jail sentence due to its severity.
She stated: “Considering that one of the objectives of sentencing for these offences is deterrence in addition to punishment.”
Lewis Edwards, a former officer of South Wales Police, impersonated a teenage lad to exploit young females aged 10 to 16, coercing them into sharing explicit pictures of themselves.
He attended court from HMP Parkhurst.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.