Disgruntled Newbury IT expert sabotaged former employers computer system
Hacked-off Neil Richard Cole knew just how to target the global market research firm - because he helped design their network, the court was told.
The 40-year-old caused the entire system to crash twice, using only his laptop at his home in Cromwell Road, Newbury, said Victoria Griffiths, prosecuting.
He narrowly escaped being sent to jail on Thursday, September 12, when magistrates told him: “We take this very seriously indeed. Our guidelines clearly state custody.”
Mrs Griffiths said: “This is a very unusual case. He worked in IT administration at GfF Kinetec but didn’t get on with the head of the department. He felt he was pushed out when he was made redundant in October last year. He was angry and upset.”
The court heard of two successful cyber attacks and one attempted hacking incident and Mrs Griffiths added: “As a result there were productivity losses in the region of £16,000.”
Mr Cole admitted three charges of committing an unauthorised act with intent to impair the operation of, or prevent or hinder access to, a computer at the firm’s base in Blackfriars Road, central London, between December 31 last year and February 2 this year.
Mike Davis, defending, said his client had never been in trouble before and added: “He more or less built the computer system. “But last summer there was a clash with the new department manager. He was kicked out and more or less asked to clear his desk and has suffered from depression as a result. He bitterly regrets what he did.”
He added that Mr Cole had been drinking when he raided his former employer’s computer system and could barely remember his actions.
Mr Davis said Mr Cole’s actions had been a reckless attempt to retrieve old emails, rather than a deliberate act of sabotage.
He said the hacking was traced back to Mr Cole’s laptop and added: “His position at his new company is now untenable and he will resign from today.”
Magistrates’ chairman Paul Dick warned Mr Cole he was facing a possible prison sentence and the case was briefly adjourned for reports to be prepared.
After reading them, Mr Dick said: “You’re fortunate you’re not going to prison today.”
Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order with 240 hours’ unpaid community work requirement.
In addition Mr Cole was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to his former employers with £85 costs and £60 surcharge.