Operation Elveden: Couple accused over fake Broadmoor records handed to newspapers

A husband and wife have been charged as part of Operation Elveden, accused of making fake Broadmoor Hospital records to con newspaper publishers.

Kenneth and Karen Hall are charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit forgery between October 6, 2004, and July 6, 2006, by making false documents purporting to be official Broadmoor Hospital records.

They are accused of "intending to induce" publishing groups News International and Trinity Mirror to accept the records as being genuine and "do some act to their own or any other person's prejudice".

The pair are also accused of one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office between June 29, 2002, and October 6, 2004.

The Halls have been charged as part of Operation Elveden, Scotland Yard's investigation into claims of inappropriate payments to public officials for information by journalists.

They are to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 8 May.

Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The CPS has decided that it is not in the public interest to prosecute one other individual for conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. They have been informed they face no further action.

"May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Kenneth and Karen Hall will now be commenced and that both have a right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Kenneth Hall, 48, and Karen Hall, 44, are both former healthcare workers from Bridgwater, Somerset.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard said that a 47-year-old police officer and a 48-year-old woman who were arrested as part of Operation Elveden in October last year have been told they will face no further action.

The officer, from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations Command, and the woman, were the 75th and 76th people to be held as part of the operation and were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and suspected conspiracy to cause misconduct in public office.

Topics in this article : Operation Elveden