Paedo ex-mayor caught with worst child abuse images avoided jail after lawyer compared case to Huw Edwards’

A PAEDOPHILE ex-mayor caught with the most extreme type of child abuse images has used Huw Edwards’ jail let-off to dodge prison.

Former Labour councillor Paul Tweed, 62, got a suspended sentence for possessing the pictures.

Police who raided his family home in May after a tip-off found 160 images on his laptop.

They included 80 rated as category A, with children as young as five.

Tweed, who has served as the Mayor of Sefton in Merseyside, pleaded guilty.

But, defence lawyer Mark Ellis told Liverpool magistrates his case should not be sent to a crown court which has stronger sentencing powers.

He likened it to that of shamed BBC news presenter Edwards, who got a suspended term despite having category A images.

And Tweed, who claimed he viewed the pictures by accident when browsing porn was also let off with a nine-month suspended sentence.

Mr Ellis described him as a “sad and pathetic individual”.

His wife left him and he was kicked out of the Labour Party over the charges.

The Sun’s Keep Our Kids Safe campaign is calling for an upcoming sentencing review by the Government to ensure those caught with the worst abuse images are jailed.