A mother, Rebekah Edwards, has been jailed after she buried a mobile phone in the grave of the family cat to help her son, Lewis Edwards, a former South Wales Police officer who was convicted of horrific child sexual abuse crimes. Rebekah Edwards, 48, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after concealing evidence related to her son’s offenses.
Lewis Edwards, 25, was sentenced to life imprisonment last year after admitting to 160 counts of child sexual abuse and blackmail. He also admitted to possessing over 4,500 indecent images of children. Edwards used Snapchat to groom more than 200 girls while serving as a police officer, leading to his life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years.
The Cover-Up
In February 2023, police executing a warrant at Lewis Edwards’ home discovered several electronic devices, but Edwards refused to provide the necessary passwords to access them. However, in July 2023, police were alerted that Rebekah Edwards had recovered two mobile phones and was questioned about what to do with them. According to the prosecution, Lewis Edwards instructed his mother to “bury the black one.”
Rebekah Edwards later admitted to burying one of the phones in the garden, stating it was buried alongside the family cat. When the phone was recovered from the cat’s grave, it was found to be damaged, with a smashed screen, rendering it unexaminable. The prosecution argued there was no reason for Rebekah Edwards to keep the phones and that her actions were deliberate in helping her son avoid justice.
Court Sentencing
At Cardiff Crown Court, Recorder of Cardiff, Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, sentenced Rebekah Edwards to two years in prison for her actions. Despite considering whether a suspended sentence might be appropriate, the judge emphasized that the seriousness of the offense required immediate custodial time. Rebekah Edwards will serve half of her sentence in prison before being released on licence.
The court also heard that Rebekah Edwards had been the primary carer for a dependent relative and had relocated to live with her mother after her son’s arrest, citing fear of repercussions from the local community.
The Crimes of Lewis Edwards
Lewis Edwards’ actions as a police officer have shocked the public. He used his position to exploit young girls, grooming them through social media platforms such as Snapchat. His offenses included blackmail and the creation and distribution of indecent images of children, some of which involved coercing victims to send explicit content.
During his trial, Andrew Davies, Edwards’ defense lawyer, stated that while there was little to mitigate his crimes, the fact that he had pleaded guilty was one of the few redeeming aspects.
Edwards was sentenced to a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years, and he also received additional sentences, including two years and eight months for perverting the course of justice.
Reactions and Impact
The case has raised serious questions about trust in the police force and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards of South Wales Police condemned the actions of Lewis Edwards, stating there is “no place” for anyone who abuses the responsibility entrusted to them as a police officer.
This case has also highlighted the lengths to which family members can go to protect their loved ones, even in the face of such grave crimes. Rebekah Edwards’ attempt to conceal evidence was part of an effort to shield her son from facing the consequences of his actions, leading to her own conviction.
Support for Victims
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting such crimes and supporting victims. The public can contact Childline for concerns about children’s safety at 0800 1111, or the NSPCC helpline for adults worried about a child’s welfare at 0808 800 5000.
This case continues to resonate as a tragic reminder of the abuse of trust and the lengths some individuals will go to in order to protect those who harm others.