Computer hackers jailed in UK for spreading virus

A pair of computer hackers who helped spread a global virus were jailed for six months and three months at Newcastle Crown Court today.

The court heard Andrew Harvey, 24, and Jordan Bradley, 22, were part of a conspiracy which spread a "worm" to computers across the world.

Harvey, of Sherburn, County Durham, was jailed for six months and Bradley, of Darlington, was jailed for three months.

Both had admitted conspiracy to cause unauthorised modification of computers with intent between December 31, 2001 and February 7, 2003.

The court heard that no great damage or destruction was caused by the worm, but it did have the capability to cause widespread disruption if the pair had chosen to do so.

Judge Beatrice Bolton told the pair: "You demonstrated that two young lads could infect a large number of computers with a worm that was potentially very dangerous."