Charlie Brooks (racehorse trainer) on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. They were charged with perverting the course of justice in May 2012. Charlie and Rebekah Brooks appeared in court at the Old Bailey on 26 September 2012. Rebekah Brooks faced three charges and Charlie Brooks one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by concealing material from police officers. Their trial started in October 2013. In Brooks' own defence, his lawyer called him "foolish," "stupid" and "not academically gifted". One character witness, Sara Bradstock, told the court how he drank a pint of washing up liquid to get
News UK the phone of the murdered teenager Amanda Dowler, causing both her parents and police investigating her murder to wrongly believe she was still alive. This occurred during the period that Rebekah Brooks (née Wade) was editor. On 7 July, British newspaper "The Daily Telegraph" alleged that the families of dead British service personnel were targeted by private investigators working for the "News of the World". This led to The Royal British Legion severing ties with the paper until such allegations are proved false. On the same day, James Murdoch announced the "News of the World" would be shut down after