Former young journalist of the year Ryan Sabey has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office together with a soldier.
Sabey is at least the 63rd journalist to be arrested and/or charged as a result of police investiations stemming from the News of the World hacking scandal. He is the 36th journalist to be charged.
Sabey was working at the News of the World when the alleged offence was said to have taken place, in 2006/2007.
He joined the paper has a graduate trainee and was named British Press Awards young journalist of the year in 2005
Related
Sabey joined The Sun in 2009 and is still with the paper as a news reporter.
A CPS spokesperson said: "In February 2014 the CPS received a file from the Metropolitan Police, supplemented by further evidence on 12 June 2014. We have today authorised the police to summons Ryan Sabey, a former News of the World journalist, and charge Paul Brunt, a serving soldier at the time of the offence, with an offence of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
"Both will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 21 August 2014.
"May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Ryan Sabey and Paul Brunt will now be commenced and of their 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.
"These decisions were taken in accordance with the Code of Crown Prosecutors and the DPP's guidelines on the public interest in cases affecting the media. We have decided there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest."
Sabey has not previously been arrested, but was interviewed under caution in November 2013. News that he is to face trial swells the total number of UK journalists arrested and/or charged over the last three years to 64.
The charge in full:
Paul Brunt and Ryan Sabey, between 1 April 2006 and 1 November 2007, conspired together and with others to commit misconduct in public office contrary to section 1 (1) Criminal Law Act 1977
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
