[ISN] Hacker who gave to poor gets on wrong side of law

[InfoSec News]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3551205a11,00.html

By MERVYN DYKES
25 January 2006  

Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor might have worked for
Robin Hood, but it landed hacker Thomas Gawith in court on six charges
of computer crime.

Gawith pleaded guilty before Judge Gregory Ross in Palmerston North
District Court yesterday and was convicted and remanded on bail until
March 2 for sentencing.

Prosecutor Sergeant Johnny Ireland claimed the defendant had purchased
access codes for Kiwibank accounts and using a computer at a house
where he was staying in Tauranga had taken money from those who had it
and given it to those who didn't.

On June 7 last year he had taken a total of about $7700 from three
accounts. The next day he broke into three more, taking $6050.

Gawith told police he thought he had not done anything wrong because
he hadn't kept any of the money for himself, Sgt Ireland said.

"He said he liked playing God, but was unable to think things through
properly."

Defence counsel Mark Alderdice sought bail for his client to allow
Gawith to go to Manukau, where he was due to graduate from the
Salvation Army's Bridge programme. He would then return to live at his
parents' address in Palmerston north until his March 2 appearance.

Kiwibank restored the money to the correct accounts as soon as the
Gawith's transactions were discovered.