Matthew Edwards

Matthew Edwards

41, Male Custodial - 12y 2025-08-13

Newmarket, Suffolk

Offender ID: 48a17fc3-d0ab-4979-b99b-245ec8a3ea37

Offence Summary

Matthew Edwards was convicted of multiple child sexual offences, including sexual assault of a girl under 13, making and distributing indecent images of children, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with children. He was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Full Description

A complex cross-forces joint investigation led by specialist officers from Essex Police and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) resulted in the conviction and sentencing of Matthew Edwards for a series of serious sexual offences against children.

The investigation began when SWROCU alerted Essex Police to Edwards' online criminal behaviour. He was using internet platforms to send explicit messages and solicit sexualised images from young girls. In October 2022, officers from Essex Police's Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) arrested Edwards at his home in the Uttlesford area and seized several electronic devices. Analysis revealed indecent images and videos of children dating back to 2019, alongside allegations of child sexual assault.

Edwards, aged 41 and residing on Lisburn Road in Newmarket, was charged with numerous offences, including three counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching, three counts of taking and making indecent photographs of children (comprising 93 Category A, 29 Category B, and 271 Category C images), distributing indecent photographs of children, attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to cause a child to watch sexual images, nine counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and outraging public decency.

Sexual assault by touching a girl under 13 (three counts)
Taking and making indecent photographs of children (three counts)
Distributing indecent photographs of children
Attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Attempting to cause a child to watch sexual images
Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child (nine counts)
Outraging public decency

During police interviews, Edwards refused to answer questions initially and later denied the allegations in a prepared statement, claiming the images were not of a sexual nature. He admitted to three counts of taking and making indecent images and one count of outraging public decency but denied the remaining charges. Following a nine-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in June 2025, the jury found him guilty on all 16 remaining counts.

On 13 August 2025, Edwards was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, with eight years to be served in custody and the remainder on licence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Sally Keddy, who led the Essex Police investigation, described Edwards as 'a sexual predator and a danger to women and girls', emphasising the force's commitment to bringing such offenders to justice through cross-border collaboration. Temporary Detective Inspector Alex Spargo from SWROCU noted how the case expanded from initial online abuse investigations to convictions for a range of offences, including sexual assault, highlighting nationwide efforts to identify and stop such predators.

The case underscores the importance of online safety measures, with vulnerable children safeguarded as a result of the investigation. Source: Essex Police official news release, published 16 August 2025.

Location

City: Newmarket

County: Suffolk

Address: Lisburn Road

Case Details

Police Force: Essex Police

Sentence Length: 12 years (Custodial)

Expected Release: August 2033
Guideline: two-thirds served for sentences ≥4 years; half otherwise (England & Wales). Estimates only.

Full Sentence End: August 2037
If served in full. Estimates only.

Name heritage (predicted origin)

Country: United Kingdom

Confidence: 95%

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to Essex Police for their tireless dedication in bringing this offender to justice. Your commitment and hard work truly help keep our communities safe, and we are deeply grateful.

Source: essex.police.uk

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