This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/08/ex-news-of-the-world-royal-reporters-conviction-over-prince-leaks-quashed

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ex-News of the World royal reporter’s conviction over prince leaks quashed Ex-News of the World royal reporter’s conviction over prince leaks quashed
(35 minutes later)
A former News of the World royal reporter who was found guilty of getting scoops from one of Prince Harry’s army colleagues has had his conviction quashed.A former News of the World royal reporter who was found guilty of getting scoops from one of Prince Harry’s army colleagues has had his conviction quashed.
While working at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid, Ryan Sabey was accused of cultivating his contact, Paul Brunt, who was in the same regiment as the prince.While working at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid, Ryan Sabey was accused of cultivating his contact, Paul Brunt, who was in the same regiment as the prince.
Sabey was found guilty of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office following an Old Bailey trial.Sabey was found guilty of aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office following an Old Bailey trial.
At the court of appeal, the lord chief justice quashed the conviction on the grounds that the jury was misdirected by the trial judge.At the court of appeal, the lord chief justice quashed the conviction on the grounds that the jury was misdirected by the trial judge.
Director of public prosecutions, Alison Saunders, has already announced she would not pursue his case.Director of public prosecutions, Alison Saunders, has already announced she would not pursue his case.
Lord Thomas confirmed there would be no retrial.Lord Thomas confirmed there would be no retrial.
More details to follow … Orlando Pownall QC told the court it was understood the crown did not oppose Sabey’s appeal, which was similar to that of fellow NoW reporter Lucy Panton.
Trial judge Mr Justice Charles Wide had given the same “misdirection” to the jury which led to Panton’s successful appeal earlier this year.
In written directions, Wide “misdirected the jury in that insufficient emphasis was given in the need for the jury to conclude what had occurred harmed the public interest”.
Pownall said: “We submit there is no material difference in directions. We submit if it was a misdirection in one it was a misdirection in the other.”
Lord Thomas agreed, saying: “It seems to us, the logic of the argument presented in the case of Ryan Sabey must be right. We accept the decision of the CPS, there will therefore be no retrial.”
He went on to quash the conviction of Sabey’s co-accused, Paul Brunt.
He accepted the prosecution’s application for a retrial of Brunt at the Old Bailey, calling for it to take place “as expeditiously as possible”.
Leaving court, Sabey said he was “naturally pleased” by the outcome of his appeal.
He said: “I just want to say I’m thankful for the judgment from the lord chief justice. I would like to thank the many people for their support – friends, family and colleagues – over the recent months.”
The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed all outstanding Operation Elveden cases in light of Panton’s successful appeal.
It announced it was not pursuing nine journalists, including Sabey, but in Brunt’s case a retrial would be sought.
Since then, only one reporter – the Sun’s Anthony France – has been found guilty by a jury of an offence as a result of the Metropolitan police’s high-profile investigation into newspapers’ relationships with public officials.
He was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years.