A former BBC Wales producer, Dylan Dawes, is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court after being accused of possessing and creating over 6,000 indecent images of children across multiple devices. Despite the serious allegations, Dawes, 50, denies all charges. He claims he has never knowingly viewed or searched for such images, asserting he has no sexual interest in children.
The court heard that Dawes was arrested at his Cardiff home in February 2022, where four internet-capable devices were seized, including a hard drive, laptop, and two iPads. Prosecutor Harry Baker revealed that the alleged offences spanned over 16 years, and included downloading material classified as indecent images.
During police interviews, Dawes, whose Gmail account had been suspended shortly before his arrest, maintained his innocence and suggested others could have accessed his equipment, noting his devices were sometimes left unattended in open-plan offices. Furthermore, a suspicious search term and a folder were found on one of his devices, sparking further investigation.
Despite the extensive evidence presented, Dawes remains firm in his plea of not guilty to the six counts against him. The trial is ongoing. Stay tuned for updates as this gripping case continues to unfold.