UK Court Fines Mirror Group Newspapers $179,6000 For Hacking Prince Harry's Phone

The Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) journalists hacked Prince Harry's phone, a UK court ruled on Friday. The court also directed the news agency a pay £140,600 ($179,6000) as damages to Price Harry. According to the reports, the court found the MGN guilty after examining 15 of the 33 sample articles submitted by Prince.

Ruling the judgment Justice Timothy Fancourt said "I consider that his phone was only hacked to a modest extent, and that this was probably carefully controlled by certain people at each newspaper."

"I found that 15 out of the 33 articles that were tried were the product of phone hacking of his mobile phone or the mobile phones of his associates, or the product of other unlawful information gatherings," Justice said.

According to the reports, the Duke of Sussex was not only the victim of phone hacking. Around 100 other celebrities including actors, sports stars, and politicians have alleged the news agency of leaking sensitive information unlawfully between 1991 and 2011.

Prince Harry had sued the media organization's newspapers, tabloids, and magazines for carrying reports aimed at his family and the monarchs.

Coming out of the court, Prince Harry said "I've been told that slaying dragons will get you burned." "But in light of today's victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it's a worthwhile price to pay. The mission continues," he added.

The reports said that MGN accepted the unlawful acts admitting to "some evidence" submitted by the Prince, including for a story about him.

A spokesperson for MGN said: "We welcome today's judgment that gives the business the necessary clarity to move forward from events that took place many years ago," an MGN spokesperson said. "Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologize unreservedly, have taken full responsibility, and paid appropriate compensation," the spokesperson added.