Top or bottom bunk, Mr Coulson? Erm...*nudge*... Mr Coulson? Hacking trial: Coulson guilty, Brooks cleared of charges Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has been found guilty of conspiracy to hack phones. His predecessor Rebekah Brooks was cleared of all charges in the phone-hacking trial. Coulson went on to become director of communications for the prime minister, who has apologised and said hiring him was the wrong decision. Royals, celebrities and victims of crime were among those whose phones were hacked by the News of the World. The paper was closed by its parent company, News International, in July 2011 after it emerged that it had instructed a private investigator to intercept - or hack - voicemails left on the mobile phone of murdered Surrey teenager Milly Dowler in 2002. Police say thousands of peoples phones were targeted, and BBC legal correspondent Clive Coleman said Coulsons conviction showed a widespread criminal conspiracy going to a very, very senior level at the News of the World. Coulson, who faces a maximum of two years in prison for hacking, and former News International chief executive Mrs Brooks were among seven defendants on trial at the Old Bailey. The verdicts in full are: Andy Coulson was found guilty of a charge of conspiracy to intercept voicemails Mrs Brooks 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 News of the World managing editor Stuart Kuttner was found not guilty of conspiring to hack voicemails Cheryl Carter, Charlie Brooks and News Internationals former head of security Mark Hanna were cleared of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice The jury is continuing to consider misconduct in public office charges against Coulson and former News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27997688 youtube/watch?v=ZM5_6js19eM
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 18:45:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015