The phone hacking trial has seen former heads of the News of the World found not guilty, while a former editor has been found guilty on conspiracy to hack phones.
Former managing editor Stuart Kuttner has been found not guilty, while former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks has been cleared of all charges. Her assistant Cheryl Carter and husband Charlie Brooks were also found not guilty. Mrs Brooks, a former editor of the News of the World and an apparent close friend of Prime Minister, was found not guilty of conspiracy to hack voicemails, two counts of conspiracy to pay public officials and two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Former editor and director of communications and planning for the Conservative Party and Prime Minister David Cameron Andy Coulson, was found guilty on a charge of conspiracy of hacking.
The ruling brings to an end the near-three year trial, which began with the select committee’s questioning of News Corporation heads Rupert and James Murdoch in 2011, which was marred by the attack on Rupert Murdoch by activist Jonnie Marbles. Since then, actors including Hugh Grant, Steve Coogan and Sienna Miller have given evidence in the trial, with a number of the victims seeking civil trials and claiming compensation. The lobby group Hacked Off has also emerged, calling for “a free and accountable press”.
Updated 4th July – Coulson has been sentenced to 18 months, ex News of the World journalists Neville Thurlbeck and Greg Miskiw have been jailed for six months while suspended sentences have been given to hacker Glenn Mulcaire and ex-journalist James Weatherup.
