Colin Myler: In the frame

Myler once marketed rugby league in Europe

Sunday Mirror editor Colin Myler could face criminal charges and even jail following the collapse of the Leeds footballers' trial.

On Monday a Hull Crown Court judge dismissed the jury after three days of deliberations and eight weeks of evidence in a trial costing an estimated £8m.

It followed the publication of an article in the Sunday Mirror.

Criminal charges for contempt of court could be brought against both the newspaper and Mr Myler.

Fleet Street career

If found guilty, Mr Myler, could be jailed though it is more likely a fine would be levied against the newspaper, which denies contempt.

Mr Myler, from Liverpool, began his journalism career at a news agency in Southport.

By the age of 22 he was working on Fleet Street.

He began as a reporter on The Sun before moving to the Daily Mail.

He was eventually made news editor on the Sunday People but switched to the Today newspaper when it launched in 1985.

Princess Diana

His first stint as Sunday Mirror editor began late in 1992 when he was brought in to replace Bridget Rowe.

Within months he was at the centre of a row over a decision to print pictures of Princess Diana working out at an exclusive gym.

He moved across to the Daily Mirror in 1994 but sales slumped and in 1995 he was replaced by current Mirror editor Piers Morgan.

The footballers trial attracted huge media interest

In a career change, Mr Myler left newspapers to head the newly-formed Super League Europe, a marketing organisation for rugby league.

Within 15 months he was wooed back to journalism, taking the helm at the Sunday Mirror in 1998 for a second time.

Under his editorship, the rapid decline in sales has slowed though the red-top is still unable to buck the downward trend afflicting the Sunday newspaper market.