A former British tabloid editor who went on to become the spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for conducting an extensive phone hacking operation in pursuit of sensational stories.
Andy Coulson, who was convicted last week of participating in a conspiracy to listen in on private voicemail messages, was handed his sentence Friday in London.
Three other former journalists received shorter sentences.
Coulson and his co-defendants were found guilty of plotting to eavesdrop on Britain's royal family, politicians, celebrities and victims of crime. From 2003-2007, Coulson was the editor of the now-defunct News of the World tabloid owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch. Coulson then became the communications chief for Cameron until 2011.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.