Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law admits computer hacking

Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law has admitted computer hacking in an alleged plot targeting the celebrity chef's business.

Chris Hutcheson, 68, was charged under Operation Tuleta with conspiring to cause a computer to access programs and data without authority.

Three of his children - Adam Hutcheson, 46, Orlanda Butland, 45, and Chris Hutcheson Jnr, 37 - also faced the same charge.

All were said to have been part of an alleged plot to hack the computer system at Gordon Ramsay Holdings Ltd between October 23 2010 and March 31 2011.

Hutcheson Snr, who is the father of Ramsay's wife Tana, entered a guilty plea at hearing at the Old Bailey.

Two of his children also admitted the charge at the joint hearing, while Ms Butland pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution accepted the pleas and offered no evidence in relation to Ms Butland.

The three defendants, who were all granted continued bail, face a maximum possible sentence of two years in prison.

A previous hearing had been told the "convoluted" case revolved around alleged hacking of both the Gordon Ramsay Holdings Ltd computer system and email accounts of company employees.

At the time of the conspiracy, Hutcheson Snr had been dismissed from a senior position in Gordon Ramsay's company.

"The prosecution would say as a result of that dismissal he was motivated to access unlawfully the computer system," said prosecutor Dan Suter.

"There was surrounding civil litigation after his dismissal."

The judge agreed to the preparation of pre-sentence reports and said all sentencing options were open.

He adjourned sentencing to June 2.