Prison guard 'sold Huntley data'

Paul Capewell passed the documents to his brother, the court heard

A prison officer stole secret documents on high-security prisoners - including child killer Ian Huntley - to sell to national newspapers, a court has heard.

Paul Capewell, 41, who worked at HMP Frankland in Durham, is accused of smuggling out the information and passing it to his brother John.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the thefts were a "massive security breach".

Paul Capewell denies misconduct in public office while his 45-year-old brother denies aiding and abetting.

The court was told an article in the Daily Mail headlined "Be nice to Mr Huntley" could be traced back to the Capewells, along with another of the newspaper's stories called "Muslim plot to behead a prison officer".

Financial gain

Prosecutor Peter Moulson said the plot came to light when a dog walker found documents scattered on a bridle path in Wallsend, North Tyneside, on 13 September last year.

Many had John Capewell's fingerprints on them, the jury heard.

Mr Moulson said police discovered they had been stolen from his car and further searches of his house recovered copies of contracts between the defendant and the News of the World newspaper.

Leaked documents led to a Daily Mail piece about Huntley, the jury heard

He said detectives spoke to one of the newspaper's senior reporters who said John Capewell had asked for £40,000 for information about Frankland and its inmates during a meeting at a motorway service station.

Mr Moulson said the brothers' motive was financial gain and John Capewell, of Horsley View, Wallsend, was in a "precarious financial position".

Paul Capewell, of Salmon Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, joined the prison service in 1991 and transferred to Frankland from HMP Brixton in London in 2005.

The trial continues.