Public Officials Admit Leaking To The Sun

Three public officials have pleaded guilty to selling information to newspapers.

Former police officer Alan Tierney has pleaded guilty to selling details about the arrests of John Terry's mother and Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood for £1,750.

Prison officer Richard Trunkfield, 31, from Northamptonshire, also admitted earning £3,350 when he leaked information about a high-profile prisoner to the tabloid.

They are among seven people appearing at the Old Bailey to face charges involving the alleged bribing of public officials.

Among those who appeared were David Cameron's former head of communications - Andy Coulson - and the former Chief Executive of News International - Rebekah Brooks.

A second police officer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.

Trunkfield, from Moulton, Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office between March 2 and April 30, 2010.

Ex Surrey PC Tierney, 40, admitted one count of the offence between March 26 and April 3, 2009, and the second between December 2 and 7, 2009.

Tierney, from Hayling Island, Hampshire, was released on bail to be sentenced on March 27. Mr Justice Fulford warned him that "all options remain open".

All three official spoke only to confirm their names and enter formal guilty pleas during separate hearings. The judge, Mr Justice Fulford, will sentence all three on March 27.

Tierney and Trunkfield were arrested as part of Operation Elveden, which was set up to investigate allegations of newspapers paying police officers for information.

Tierney sold details about Sue Terry and Sue Poole, the mother and mother-in-law of former England football captain John Terry, being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in Surrey. They accepted cautions.

He also sold details about the arrest of guitarist Wood, 65, on suspicion of beating up his Russian lover Ekaterina Ivanova, who is in her 20s. Wood also accepted a caution.

Trunkfield leaked information about a high profile inmate while working at high security Woodhill prison near Milton Keynes. The prisoner has not been named.

Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks appeared in court in further separate hearings but did not enter a plea. Their trials were adjourned until next month.

Sun chief reporter John Kay, 69, from north-west London, who was also appearing, entered a not guilty plea to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Another who was due to appear was Clive Goodman, the former Royal Editor of the News of the World.