A BRENTWOOD-based journalist faces eight charges in relation to the phone hacking scandal.

James Weatherup, a former chief reporter at the News of the World, was charged in connection with the Met Police Operation Weeting investigation into the scandal which rocked the press.

The 56-year-old, who lives in Brentwood, is accused of the following:

* Between October 3, 2000, and August 9, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of well-known people and those associated with them.

 

* Between January 1, 2004, and July 29, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of persons associated with David Blunkett MP, including some or all of the following: Kimberley Quinn, Sally King (nee Anderson), Andrew King, John Anderson and Jason Carey.

 

* Between April 6, 2005, and June 22, 2005, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of persons associated with the Right Honourable Charles Clarke, who included either or both of the following: Hannah Pawlby and Lucy Pawlby.

 

* Between July 1, 2005, and June 1, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of Jude Law and persons associated with Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Sienna Miller, who included some or all of the following: Jade Schmidt, Archie Keswick and Ben Jackson.

 

* Between July 5, 2005, and May 4, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of persons associated with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who included Eunice Huthart.

 

* Between January 17, 2006, and August 1, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of Wayne Rooney and persons associated with Wayne Rooney, who included either or both of the following: Laura Jane Rooney and Patricia Tierney.

 

* Between April 24, 2006, and June 22, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of persons associated with the Right Honourable Lord Prescott, who included some or all of the following: Tracey Temple, Joan Hammell and Alan Schofield.

 

* Between May 15, 2006, and June 29, 2006, conspired with others to intercept communications in the course of their transmission, without lawful authority, namely the voicemail messages of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, and of persons associated with Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, including some or all of the following: Fiona Mills, Stuart Bell, Alan Edwards and Chris Terrill.

 

Weatherup is one of seven people charged in connection with the hacking scandal who had connections with the News of the World.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the charges related to 600 alleged victims between 2000 and 2006.

They are all due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 16.