Former police officer to stand trial over alleged corrupt payments for information

Monday, February 11, 2013
10:41 AM

A former police officer and a Sun journalist will stand trial over alleged corrupt payments for information.

The Sun’s defence editor Virginia Wheeler, from Kennington, south London, and ex-Metropolitan Police constable Paul Flattley, from Stockport in Cheshire, are accused of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Flattley appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today and the hearing went ahead in Wheeler’s absence as she could not attend because of medical reasons.

District Judge Howard Riddle ruled the proceedings could go ahead with Wheeler’s barrister Timothy Greene saying his client was happy for the case to progress without her present.

The defendants face allegations that the officer was paid at least £4,000 in cheques and £2,450 in cash in exchange for information between May 25 2008 and September 13 2011.

No pleas were entered to the charge.

Flattley, 30, and Wheeler, 33, will next appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on February 22. No trial date has been set.

Flattley, wearing a grey suit and open-necked white shirt, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was formally charged when he answered police bail on January 22. Wheeler, who began her employment at the News International tabloid in September 2004, was charged by way of summons.