Reporter to face trial over phone hacking (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Reporter to face trial over phone hacking

11:11am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News

A FORMER News Of The World chief reporter is set to go on trial next year over the phone hacking scandals.

James Weatherup, 56, from Brentwood, will join six other former employees and a private detective for the trial at Southwark Crown Court which is due to start on September 9, 2013.

On September 26 the ex-chief reporter of the now defunct tabloid newspaper appeared at the Old Bailey in London for preliminary hearing.

He was joined by other ex-News of the World journalists Andy Coulson, who was also David Cameron’s former spin doctor, and Rebekah Brooks, the paper’s international chief executive.

Also appearing in court were ex-managing editor Stuart Kuttner, former news editor Greg Miskiw, former head of news Ian Edmondson, ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck and private detective Glenn Mulcaire.

The seven former News of the World staff face one general accusation of conspiracy to access voicemails which prosecutors say could affect up to 600 victims, along with other charges related to specific people.

Mulcaire is accused of four counts related to particular individuals.

Alleged victims of the hacking include Brad Pitt, Wayne Rooney, Sir Paul McCartney, Sadie Frost and David Blunkett MP.

Brooks is also accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice over allegations she tried to conceal information from police investigating phone hacking.

It is also claims she made corrupt payments to public officials at the Sun and the News of the World.

Brooks, her husband Charlie, 49, her former personal assistant Cheryl Carter, head of security at News International Mark Hanna, Brooks’s chauffeur Paul Edwards and security staff Daryl Jorsling and Lee Sandell are all accused of perverting the course of justice.

All the defendants were released on bail following the hearing.