UK journalist charged in computer hacking probe

British police are charging a journalist as part of an investigation into allegations of computer hacking and privacy offenses, marking the first charges under Operation Tuleta, one of three police probes triggered by the UK's phone-hacking scandal.
Police said today that Ben Ashford, 34, has been charged with possessing criminal property between October 11, 2009 and October 16, 2009, and unauthorized access to computer material.
More than 40 people have been arrested in the probes of media wrongdoing and corruption. Criminal charges have been brought against suspects including Rebekah Brooks, the former chief of News Corp's British operations.
Ashford, a former journalist with The Sun newspaper, is scheduled to appear in court on October 15.