Daily Mail and Daily Mirror fined for contempt of court over Milly Dowler reports

The Daily Mail and The Daily Mirror have each been fined £10,000 by the High Court over articles they published on 24 June 2011 following the conviction of Levi Bellfield for the murder and abduction of Milly Dowler.  At the time jurors were still deliberating over a separate count - the attempted kidnap of Rachel Cowles.  As a result of the 'avalanche' of seriously prejudicial adverse publicity the jury had to be discharged.

Proceedings for contempt were brought by the Attorney-General.  The newspapers denied being in contempt of court, but were found liable on 18 July 2012.  The penalty was imposed on 22 October 2012.

A copy of the judgment on liability can be found below:-

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Judgments/hm-attorney-general-associated-newspapers-mgn-limited.pdf

The judgment on penalties can be found here:-

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/Resources/JCO/Documents/Judgments/ag-v-associated-newspapers-and-mgn.pdf