MasterChef contestant ‘tried to blackmail cops with sex pics after he was caught with child abuse images
A FORMER MasterChef contestant tried blackmailing cops after he was caught with a sickening stash of child abuse images, a court heard.
Caerwyn Ash allegedly walked into Swansea police station with a brown envelope addressed to the head of CID after the vile haul was found.
The 41-year-old claimed it contained a document threatening to distribute sexually explicit material involving South Wales Police officers unless the probe against him was stopped, it is said.
Ash, who was a quarter finalist in the 2016 series of MasterChef, denies nine charges of possessing indecent images, prohibited images and extreme pornography.
He is also on trial for one count of attempting to pervert the course of public justice, Wales Online reports.
Cardiff Crown Court heard a search warrant was executed at Ash’s partner’s home in April 2019.
Officers found more than three dozen indecent pictures and videos along with more than 100 extreme pornographic photos and movies.
These contained child sex images as well as adults having sex with animals.
Ash was charged in August 2022 with a court appearance set for September 21.
But the day before, he walked into Swansea Central Police station with the envelope threatening to disclose sensitive information to a “trusted friend” in the media.
He claimed he would “create an earthquake” if the charges against him were not dropped.
University academic Ash, who was an associate professor of medical devices, denies the charges.
The trial continues.