Teenage hackers are prosecuted

BRITISH BOBBIES from the Metropolitan Police have prosecuted two teenaged hackers for breaking into company systems and exploiting them.

Zachary Woodham, 19, and Louis Tobenhouse, 18, from Brighton, have been charged in connection with various computer misuse and fraud offences, according to a statement from the Met Police.

"Woodham and Tobenhouse chose to abuse their computer skills causing a considerable amount of financial loss and anxiety to a number of innocent people. Woodham in particular has shown himself to be a vindictive hacker with no sign of remorse towards any of his victims," said detective constable Stuart Hosking of the police central e-crime unit .

"This case illustrates that internet crime is not victimless and that the Police Central e-Crime Unit will pursue perpetrators of such offences in support of victims, and to ensure they be held accountable for their actions."

The twosome allegedly hacked into businesses including hosting firm Punkyhosting, and were apparently deeply involved in the underground Ghostmarket web site.

As well as repeatedly attacking the hosting firm the pair also allegedly went after casino web sites where they are accused of having stolen user credit card details and used them to launder money through self-run premium line phone numbers.

Perhaps the nicest quote comes from Tobenhouse, who lamented upon his arrest, "I will never get a job in IT now."

However, the teenagers have received suspended sentences and community service. We suspect they might have got a couple of job offers, too. µ