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/2014/aug/08/sun-reporter-police-stolen-mobile-ben-ashford

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

Version 0 Version 1
Sun reporter was told prosecution was unlikely over stolen mobile, trial hears Sun reporter was told prosecution was unlikely over stolen mobile, trial hears
(35 minutes later)
A former reporter on the Sun on trial over a stolen mobile phone was told by a colleague on the paper that it was unlikely the police would prosecute, a jury has heard.A former reporter on the Sun on trial over a stolen mobile phone was told by a colleague on the paper that it was unlikely the police would prosecute, a jury has heard.
The reporter discovered more than 1,000 messages, some of “a sexually explicit type”, between a TV personality and a PR agent, after a tipster contacted the paper’s newsdesk over a phone. She claimed she had found the phone on the floor outside a nightclub in Manchester.The reporter discovered more than 1,000 messages, some of “a sexually explicit type”, between a TV personality and a PR agent, after a tipster contacted the paper’s newsdesk over a phone. She claimed she had found the phone on the floor outside a nightclub in Manchester.
The tipster was a 20-year-old student and had emailed the Sun’s Talkback address saying she had a “top story” with evidence that a TV personality was “cheating on his long-term girlfriend”.The tipster was a 20-year-old student and had emailed the Sun’s Talkback address saying she had a “top story” with evidence that a TV personality was “cheating on his long-term girlfriend”.
“I’m a completely unrelated third party who happened to stumble upon this incriminating piece of evidence. I would be interested in selling this story,” wrote Sameena Rashid.“I’m a completely unrelated third party who happened to stumble upon this incriminating piece of evidence. I would be interested in selling this story,” wrote Sameena Rashid.
Ben Ashford, 35, was sent to meet Rashid in October 2009 and took possession of the phone which belonged to the PR agent. Ben Ashford was sent to meet Rashid in October 2009 and took possession of the phone which belonged to the PR agent.
The Manchester-based reporter spent hours trawling through the phone and drew up an 18-page report about the picture and text messages between its owner, who cannot be named for legal reasons and two TV stars who cannot be named either.The Manchester-based reporter spent hours trawling through the phone and drew up an 18-page report about the picture and text messages between its owner, who cannot be named for legal reasons and two TV stars who cannot be named either.
One Sun editor, James Clothier, labelled the star a “dirty cheating dawg” but the paper decided not to run any story, the court heard.One Sun editor, James Clothier, labelled the star a “dirty cheating dawg” but the paper decided not to run any story, the court heard.
The reporter is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of handling the stolen phone and accessing messages on the PR agent’s iPhone without her authority. He is the first to be on trial in relation to Operation Tuleta, Scotland Yard’s investigation into computer hacking.The reporter is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of handling the stolen phone and accessing messages on the PR agent’s iPhone without her authority. He is the first to be on trial in relation to Operation Tuleta, Scotland Yard’s investigation into computer hacking.
Ashford denies possession of criminal property and securing unauthorised access to computer material.Ashford denies possession of criminal property and securing unauthorised access to computer material.
The jury were told Ashford had discovered the contents included “x-rated snaps of herself” and “saucy messages” from one of the TV personalities.The jury were told Ashford had discovered the contents included “x-rated snaps of herself” and “saucy messages” from one of the TV personalities.
They also heard Ashford had been told by Rashid that a friend of hers had said he had found the iPhone on the ground while having a cigarette outside the Circle Club in Manchester.They also heard Ashford had been told by Rashid that a friend of hers had said he had found the iPhone on the ground while having a cigarette outside the Circle Club in Manchester.
Days later the PR posted a message on Twitter, saying “some Mo” had stolen her handbag, leading to a further exchange of emails among senior Sun journalists and Ashford about the phone.Days later the PR posted a message on Twitter, saying “some Mo” had stolen her handbag, leading to a further exchange of emails among senior Sun journalists and Ashford about the phone.
One Sun journalist, Steve Kennedy, emailed Ashford and a senior Sun executive who cannot be named: “Are the cops really going to prosecute everyone who collects a stolen item and returns it in good faith? Are they fuck?”. The Sun assistant news editor, Steve Kennedy, emailed Ashford and a senior Sun executive who cannot be named: “Are the cops really going to prosecute everyone who collects a stolen item and returns it in good faith? Are they fuck?”
Jurors heard that Ashford returned the phone to the PR through a friend on 16 October and included his contact details in the package.Jurors heard that Ashford returned the phone to the PR through a friend on 16 October and included his contact details in the package.
Subsequently, the PR reported her phone had been stolen and some weeks later, Ashford was interviewed by police. In an email to his bosses, he said he had told police that he had not in effect stolen any content – “ie downloaded” from the phone, but that this was a “grey area” and the police “just wanted information on the thief”.Subsequently, the PR reported her phone had been stolen and some weeks later, Ashford was interviewed by police. In an email to his bosses, he said he had told police that he had not in effect stolen any content – “ie downloaded” from the phone, but that this was a “grey area” and the police “just wanted information on the thief”.
PC David Southern, the interviewing officer, confirmed to jurors he was treated as a witness in relation to the theft of a stolen phone but not treated as a suspect.PC David Southern, the interviewing officer, confirmed to jurors he was treated as a witness in relation to the theft of a stolen phone but not treated as a suspect.
Three years later, Ashford was charged with two criminal offences after News International’s management and standards committee handed Scotland Yard detectives internal emails about the phone including his 18-page summary of its contents.Three years later, Ashford was charged with two criminal offences after News International’s management and standards committee handed Scotland Yard detectives internal emails about the phone including his 18-page summary of its contents.
Under cross examination, Southern confirmed the reporter told him he had looked at the contents of the phone.Under cross examination, Southern confirmed the reporter told him he had looked at the contents of the phone.
Under re-examination by the prosecution, Southern said Ashford had not given “any indication” that he had “looked at any photos” or that he had “looked at any messages”.Under re-examination by the prosecution, Southern said Ashford had not given “any indication” that he had “looked at any photos” or that he had “looked at any messages”.
Among the emails shown to the jury was the initial approach from Rashid who contacted the Sun’s “talkback” email to say she had a “top story”.Among the emails shown to the jury was the initial approach from Rashid who contacted the Sun’s “talkback” email to say she had a “top story”.
The email read: “Hi there, I have proof that [B] has been cheating with his long term girlfriend. I’m a completely unrelated third party who happened to stumble upon this incriminating piece of evidence. I would be interested in selling this story.”The email read: “Hi there, I have proof that [B] has been cheating with his long term girlfriend. I’m a completely unrelated third party who happened to stumble upon this incriminating piece of evidence. I would be interested in selling this story.”
Wright told the jury a Sun journalist, Will Barker, responded to the email “within a minute” telling her: “We would be very interested.” After Ashford had obtained the phone and looked at the contents, Barker told him: “As it turns out, the (star A) stuff is a much better story. Only have one hope with this, track down the girl [the owner] and hope she bites.”Wright told the jury a Sun journalist, Will Barker, responded to the email “within a minute” telling her: “We would be very interested.” After Ashford had obtained the phone and looked at the contents, Barker told him: “As it turns out, the (star A) stuff is a much better story. Only have one hope with this, track down the girl [the owner] and hope she bites.”
Rashid accepted a caution for the “theft by finding” of the phone, the jury was told