Hacking trial: ‘Daft’ Charlie Brooks ‘drank Fairy Liquid’

Charlie Brooks appears at the Old Bailey in London, as the phone hacking trial continues (PA)

Charlie Brooks was “close to death” after drinking a pint of Fairy Liquid in the hope that it might cure a bad hangover, the hacking trial at the Old Bailey has heard.

A friend of Mr Brooks, Sara Bradstock, said that she once found the former race horse trainer “frothing at the mouth” after drinking the washing up liquid. She admitted that his behaviour could at times be “completely daft”.

Ms Bradstock, appearing as a character witness for Mr Brooks at the phone-hacking trial, said the charge of perverting the course of justice was “out of character” for her former housemate.

Ms Bradstock said she believed Mr Brooks was not capable of being dishonest, adding “he is kind and good company”. Mr Brooks is jointly charged with his wife, Rebekah, and former News International security staff, of hiding computers, papers and other material from officers of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist unit who were investigating phone hacking at the News of the World.

Mr Brooks, and the six others involved in the trial, deny all the charges against them. The trial continues.