Prison officer ‘facing jail’ after admitting selling stories about George Michael
A prison officer has been warned she is facing jail time – after admitting she sold information about George Michael to the Sun.
The out singer spent four weeks behind bars in 2010, in HM Prison Highpoint South, after admitting driving under the influence of drugs.
However, it was uncovered that a prison officer at the prison had sold five stories about the singer to the Sun newspaper, during his time behind bars.
43-year-old Amanda Watts, of Suffolk, appeared before the Old Bailey today – and pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct.
The court heard that Watts was paid over £2,000 by the newspaper for the stories she leaked about Michael.
The allegations were uncovered by Operation Elveden – a probe into claims that journalists paid money to police and other public officials for information.
Watts was bailed ahead of sentencing next month, but was warned that a prison sentence was “inevitable”.
Judge John Bevan said: “You should understand the fact I’m bailing you until [16 October] is to enable you to make appropriate arrangements.
“A prison sentence is inevitable. I’m sure you understand.”
Michael was initially jailed over an incident following London’s Pride parade in 2010, when he crashed his car into the front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead.
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