Mumsnet hack update - police have charged someone

[JustineMumsnet]

Hello,

Many of you will remember last August’s hacking attack on Mumsnet.

I'm pleased to say that today someone has appeared in court, charged with offences related to the attacks (though not the swatting attacks) and will appear at Guildford Magistrate court on 07th June.

The Met tell us that the suspect has been charged with: “two offences of causing a computer to perform function to secure / enable unauthorised access to a program / data, contrary to section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and also one offence of unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of or prevent / hinder access to a computer, contrary to section 3 of the Computer Misuse act 1990.”

The Met’s Cyber Crime Unit is continuing investigations into the incident, including the swatting attacks that also took place. We'll let you know as and when we hear anything further.

Thanks,
Justine

I wonder if his Mum is a Mumsnetter.

Tomorrow is the court date. I wonder what will happen.

I wonder how the A'level revision is going.

I'm going to be in Guildford tomorrow, but have to work . Unless I'd be allowed my laptop in the gallery?

I hope there is a result of some sort today.

Hi all,

Just popping into keep you informed, the case was postponed.
We'll let you know when we know any more.

Thanks for letting us know. I had a feeling that might happen

Postponed 'til when?

Maybe postponed until after his A'Levels

He could prepare for his A levels in jail. Probably with better results, as no time wasted hacking sites. Allegedly.

The court hearing has been delayed until the 12th July. It was delayed because of his exams, presumably, his A'levels.

Will be interested to see what he's being accused of, being rather close to events as they unfolded from the other side. I wonder who did what and if it was a concerted effort by more than one person?

I'm thinking it wasn't from any of the groups named whilst it was happening, but I am interested in whether it was friends, just one person or even people who didn't previously know each other spontaneously gathering to join in the fray.

I guess the trial might not clearly answer this but I hope it gives a bit of an insight into what actually happened, even if it wasn't this particular A level candidate!

I hope the case gets heard on Tuesday. I'm really curious how it all turns out.

The case was heard today DETAILS HERE He pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced at a later date.

I love the fact that his school (Guildfords Royal Grammar School - £16k year) dealt with this with a three day suspension . Gosh, imagine what you would have to do to get expelled.

and the BBC

Sentencing to take place on the 2nd of August

Misogynist little shit

A three day suspension? Where does he go, St Trinians??

Misogynistic little shit is right.
How does a 17 year old schoolboy develop such a hatred for women having a little corner of the Internet to chat in?

His stupid stunt has changed this place for the worse, and many women who would have come here for support now will not.

Pleasing to see that his name and street name have been published for the world to see though.

Hope the court gives him a longer sentence than his school did.

Good. Now MNHQ won't have to diligently police this thread deleting prejudicial posts - which I heartily applaud them for doing.

It must be a bit awkward for his parents and his school. I wonder what the sentence might be.

Three days? Well that will deter anyone else at RGS from doing anything similar...

He was even in a team that represented the school in a national robotics competition (they won!). That would have been after the charges.

It's a pity the aftermath wasn't reported more accurately: armed police raids which terrified Justine's au pair and some MNers and could have had a tragic outcome (police had been told armed man was holding family hostage).

Little shit.

"I love the fact that his school (Guildfords Royal Grammar School - £16k year) dealt with this with a three day suspension hmm shock. Gosh, imagine what you would have to do to get expelled. grin"

Read properly:

"The court heard while he was 16 and a half, he performed a "brute force attack" on the Guildford Royal Grammar School intranet, enabling him to secure usernames and passwords of students and staff."

"Ms Hummerstone said in relation to the Royal Grammar School incident, his school had already dealt with that matter by way of a three-day suspension."

That suspension had nothing to do with mumsnet.

Without specifics on the details of the school hacking, such attacks are common. Happened at my school 16 years ago.

Potentially trivially done by clicking a button.