News

Civilian hacked into police force files on Royal visit

A HACKER from a village near Aberaeron stole “highly sensitive” information about a Royal visit from a police computer, a court has heard.

Martin Lansley, 31, from Pennant (pictured), admitted accessing unauthorised data and unauthorised manipulation of data when he appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, 15 February.

Lansley was working for the police as a civilian when he downloaded classified material meant for only senior officers.

He found confidential details of a Royal visit by Prince Charles, embarrassing police chiefs in the countryside where he and the Duchess of Cornwall have a holiday home.

The court heard Lansley hacked officer’s passwords, police station door codes and even the electronic signature of the Chief Constable.

Lansley used a Dyfed-Powys police force computer to download the secret data.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said: “Lansley had access to get to the most sensitive material on his computer. Among items found was an operational order relating to a past Royal visit and links to the police national computer.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard how PhD graduate Lansley, working as a wellness officer, cost the force over £1,000 in man hours used to reset the system and all staff passwords.

Eugene Egan, defending, said: “The files were not used for any unlawful purpose or disclosed to anyone.”

Lansley was given a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered to undertake 250 hours’ community service.

• See this week's South edition of the Cambrian News for the full story