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  1. Media Law
September 23, 2015

Prison sentence ‘inevitable’ for former prison officer who admits selling five stories to The Sun in 2010

By PA Mediapoint

A former prison officer has admitted selling stories about George Michael's time behind bars.

The Sun paid Amanda Watts, 44, from Suffolk, £2,100 for five pieces of information which resulted in five stories about the troubled singer who was in Highpoint prison.

Watts appeared before Judge John Bevan QC at the Old Bailey on Monday 21 September to plead guilty to a single charge of misconduct in public office between 16 September 6 and 1 November 2010.

She was granted conditional bail until her sentencing hearing on 16 October.

She wept as the judge told her: "You should understand the fact I'm bailing you until then is to enable you to make appropriate arrangements.

"A prison sentence is inevitable. I'm sure you understand."

At least 30 public officials have now been convicted under Operation Elveden, according to Press Gazette analysis, with many sent to prison.

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