Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her husband Charlie have appeared in court on charges relating to the phone-hacking scandal.

Mrs Brooks, 44, and Mr Brooks, 49, of Churchill, Oxfordshire, were at Southwark Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

She faces three charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Her husband is charged with one count.

Mrs Brooks, who resigned from her chief executive position last July, spoke only to confirm her name yesterday.

The former News of the World editor is accused of removing boxes of material from the News International archive and trying to conceal documents, computers and other material from Operation Weeting, Scotland Yard's inquiry into the scandal.

The judge set a date of September 26 for a plea and case management hearing. He extended bail forthe couple.