A mother has been sentenced to two years in prison for assisting her police officer son, who used Snapchat to groom more than 200 underage girls. Lewis Edwards, 25, a former South Wales Police officer, was handed a life sentence last year for his crimes and sentenced for further offences on Tuesday.
Edwards is serving a minimum of 12 years in prison after losing an appeal against his sentence in May. His mother, Rebekah Edwards, 48, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, Recorder of Cardiff, imposed an immediate custodial sentence, saying the crime was “too serious” for suspension. Rebekah Edwards will serve half of her two-year sentence in custody before being released on licence.
Police Investigation Reveals Buried Phone
The court heard that a search warrant was executed at Lewis Edwards’ home on February 8, 2023, during which police recovered multiple electronic devices. Prosecutor Roger Griffiths explained that Lewis Edwards refused to provide passwords for the devices.
In July 2023, South Wales Police were informed that Rebekah Edwards had retrieved two mobile phones and sought advice from her son on what to do with them. Lewis Edwards instructed her to “bury the black one,” according to the prosecution.
Rebekah Edwards initially handed over the two phones to police. However, officers questioned her about a report regarding another phone hidden in the garden.
“I buried the phone in the garden when I buried the cat,” she admitted. Police later recovered a damaged black mobile phone with a smashed screen from “the grave of the family cat.” Due to its condition, the phone could not be examined.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths stated, “There was no reason for [Rebekah Edwards] to retain any of the phones.”
Additional Sentences for Lewis Edwards
For three offences of possessing indecent images of children, Lewis Edwards received an additional 12 months in prison, to run concurrently with his existing life sentence. He also received a further two years and eight months for perverting the course of justice, also to run concurrently.
Andrew Davies, defending Lewis Edwards, said his client expressed regret for “embroiling others in his offending.”
Rebekah Edwards’ Defence
Defending Rebekah Edwards, Giles Hayes highlighted her previous good character and her role as the “primary carer for a dependent relative.” Hayes added that Rebekah Edwards had moved to live with her mother out of “fear of repercussions in the local community” following her son’s arrest.
Police Response to Lewis Edwards’ Crimes
Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards of South Wales Police condemned Lewis Edwards’ actions, stating: “There is no place in South Wales Police for anyone who abuses the personal responsibility they hold as a police officer.”
The sentencing brings further attention to the shocking case, where trust was exploited, leaving families and victims deeply affected.
