Sun six trial jury starts deliberations after nearly three months of evidence

The jurors in the trial of six Sun journalists have begun deliberating after retiring yesterday following a trial lasting nearly three months.

Former managing editor Graham Dudman, head of news Chris Pharo, ex-deputy news editor Ben O'Driscoll, reporter Jamie Pyatt, picture editor John Edwards and former reporter John Troup are accused of being involved in paying backhanders to public officials for stories.

They deny all 14 counts on the indictment at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court in south-west London.

Picture: Jamie Pyatt, Reuters

The jury of nine men and three women, who began hearing the case in mid-October, were told yesterday by Judge Richard Marks QC: "This is a serious and very important case for all the defendants concerned.

"You must give it, as I know you will, the utmost attention and deal with it fairly by a calm disposition and analytical evaluation of the evidence.

"You have as little or as much time as you need. There is no pressure on time whatsoever."

Prosecutors say the defendants' aim was to "steal a march" on competitors by paying contacts to obtain exclusive stories.

Picture: Chris Pharo, Reuters

The defence has argued that the case is "rotten to its core" and the men had been "fed to the wolves".

Pharo, 45, of Sandhurst in Berkshire, O'Driscoll, 38, of Windsor in Berkshire, and Dudman, of Brentwood in Essex, each deny three counts against them.

Picture: John Edwards, Reuters

Pyatt, 51, of Windsor, Berkshire, and Edwards, 50, of Brentwood, Essex, deny two counts each.

And Troup, 49, of Saffrdon Walden, Essex, denies the one charge against him.

Picture: Graham Dudman, Reuters

Stories which involved allegedly illegal payments included details about serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, pop star Mick Hucknall and murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, and involved information being sold to the Sun by prison staff, police and nurses.

The jury were sent home for the day yesterday afternoon and will continue deliberating today.

Below are the reports Press Gazette has published from the Sun six trial since mid-October.

Six Sun journalists on trial corrupted public officials 'on a grand scale', court hears

Broadmoor was a 'goldmine for stories' conspiracy trial of the Sun six told

Sun six trial: Journalist accused of paying for information about police downloading indecent images

Sun six trial told how Peter Sutcliffe and spree killer Daniel Gonzalez stories leaked from Broadmoor

Reporter's email said: 'Can I bung £250 to the policeman and £250 to the soldier?', Sun six trial told

Broadmoor site manager tells court staff knew Sutcliffe and Napper stories were being leaked to Sun

Sun reporter asked for 'full debriefings' from soldier on movements of Prince Harry in Afghanistan, court hears

Sun six trial told of allegation Sun reporter paid Thames Valley contact for name of cadet killed in glider crash

Former Broadmoor clinical director tells of 'damaging' impact of serial killer story leaks to Sun

Sun six trial: Broadmoor inmates watching porn and killer on suicide watch among leaked stories