Andy Coulson, ex-editor of the now defunct News of the World (NoW) newspaper, was jailed for 18 months Friday for conspiracy to hack phones, BBC reported.
The 46-year-old, who went on to become director of communications for British Prime Minister David Cameron, was found guilty last week at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.
Coulson was one of four ex-journalists at the British tabloid to be sentenced, along with private investigator Glenn Mulcaire.
Five defendants, including former News International chief Rebekah Brooks, were cleared of all charges last week.