Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks will have to wait a year to face jury

 
26 September 2012
WEST END FINAL

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David Cameron’s former spin doctor Andy Coulson and ex-News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks will have to wait at least a year before facing a jury, the Old Bailey heard today.

A judge today set September 9, 2013 as the provisional date of what may be more than one trial involving executives from the now defunct News of the World.

Coulson and Mrs Brooks were among 10 defendants who crowded into the dock in the historic number one court for a 50-minute hearing.

Mr Justice Fulford imposed a strict court order restricting reporting of the case which decided a timetable for disclosure of evidence to defence lawyers and pre-trial steps.

Coulson, the ex NoW editor, sat in the front row of the dock alongside former colleagues, ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck and former reporter James Weatherup.

Mrs Brooks sat alone in the fourth row with her chair pushed right to the back of the dock.

All four, together with ex-managing editor Stuart Kuttner, former news editor Greg Miskiw, former head of news Ian Edmondson and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire face one general accusation of conspiracy to access voicemails along with other charges related to specific people.

Mulcaire is accused of four counts related to particular individuals.

Mrs Brooks is also charged with her husband Charlie and five other people accused of perverting the course of justice.

The charges relate to an alleged attempt to conceal material from police investigating claims of phone hacking and corrupt payments to public officials at The Sun and the News of the World.

Brooks’s 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 also due to appear.

Two defendants were missing from the dock today. Kuttner was excused, the court heard, and Mulcaire arrived late and sat at the back of court.

All the defendants, who spoke only to answer to their names, had their bail renewed. There will be a further hearing over two days starting December 12 this year.

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